Group formed to probe killing of Bulacan ABC head

MANILA, Philippines — The Central Luzon police formed a special investigation task group (SITG) to hasten the investigation on the killing of Bulacan provincial board member Ramilito Capistrano on Thursday.

Brig. Gen. Redrico Maranan, Central Luzon police director, said the SITG would look into all possible angles related to the killing of Capistrano, who represented the Association of Barangay Captains (ABC) in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Bulacan.

“We are looking into all possible angles –relationships, business, even politics because he is an elected government official – to establish motive,” Maranan told reporters in a phone interview.

The 56-year-old Capistrano, who chairs Barangay Caingin in San Rafael town, was traveling with his driver and two others in a Mitsubishi Montero when the attack occurred at 6:35 p.m. along a road in Barangay Ligas.

Witnesses said armed men approached the vehicle at a sharp curve and shot Capistrano and driver Shedrick Suarez.

Two other companions managed to escape after the vehicle crashed into a retail store as motorists and bystanders scampered for safety.

Several bullet casings were recovered at the scene of the shooting.

Maranan said a manhunt is on for four to five suspects. He urged people to provide tips to the police on information that would lead to an early case resolution.

Col. Jean Fajardo, Philippine National Police public information officer, said investigators are pursuing good leads on the suspects’ identities, but declined to disclose other details so as not to preempt the probe.

The ABC in Bulacan condemned the killing and urged authorities to use all available resources to arrest the perpetrators.