Leyte barangay hall attack: Persons of interest identified

MANILA, Philippines — Probers have identified two persons of interest in the killing of five people, including three barangay officials, in San Isidro, Leyte on Saturday last week, the Philippine National Police (PNP) announced yesterday.

PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said the two acted as lookouts as four armed men barged into the village hall in Barangay Daja Diot.

Barangay chairman Elizalde Tabon, peacekeeping officer Rusty Salazar, councilman Paulo Al Mindero and two unidentified persons were killed in the attack

Fajardo said politics is being eyed as the motive for the killing.

She said it is premature to say if the shooting and other attacks against local officials in the province are related to the 2025 midterm elections.

Initial investigation showed the victims were finalizing the list of beneficiaries of an educational assistance when the gunmen arrived on two motorcycles and opened fire.