By Roel Amazona
In Tacloban City, authorities are offering cash rewards to individuals who provide information leading to the apprehension of those responsible for the recent killing of local officials in Barangay Daja Diot, San Isidro, Leyte.
The PHP500,000 reward will be provided by both the Leyte provincial government, under Governor Carlos Jericho Petilla, and the Philippine National Police (PNP) Eastern Visayas regional office, headed by regional director Brig. Gen. Reynaldo Pawid.
According to Leyte Police Provincial Office (PPO) information officer Capt. Hazel Vacal, the reward system was initiated based on the belief that community members possess crucial information that could aid in delivering justice to the victims.
We believe that there is someone who can provide information through the reward system. We are not just relying on that because we are still conducting interviews with possible witnesses,” Vacal said.
“Rest assured that the information and identity of the tipster will be treated with confidentiality,” she added.
Earlier, the Leyte police formed the Special Investigation Task Group to focus on solving the crime, the motive for killing the victims, and knowing the identities of the suspects.
They may send information by contacting the San Isidro Municipal Police Station at 09985986513 and the Leyte PPO at 09052500030 or 09176235593.
Authorities announced the cash reward a few days after the deaths of Daja Diot village chief Elizalde Tabon, village councilor Paulo Mendero, and village watchman Rusty Salazar in San Isidro town on Feb. 24.
Four gunmen riding two motorcycles reportedly barged into the village hall and attacked the victims while attending a meeting. Two other village council members were also hurt by gunshots.
The incident came on the heels of the shooting-to-death of a village councilor in Tag-abaca in Leyte, Leyte on Feb. 23.
On Feb. 20, a gunman shot and killed another village councilor in Tugas village, Tabango, Leyte.
The Leyte PPO has intensified its patrol in the 3rd congressional district of Leyte after the fatal shooting of village officials. (PNA)
