The Davao Del Sur Police on Wednesday organized a special task force to investigate the fatal shooting of a village captain while he was going live on Facebook at his residence in Barangay Tres de Mayo, Digos City on Tuesday night.
Davao del Sur Police Provincial Director Col. Leo Ajero condemned the killing of the victim identified as barangay captain Oscar ‘Dodong’ Bucol, Jr. He was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital after sustaining a bullet wound on his back.
Ajero said they are now tracking down potential suspects behind the crime. The ongoing investigation covers the personalities Bucol mentioned in his recent videos. The barangay captain was reportedly openly criticizing a P20-million eco park in Digos City, according to Mindanao Times.
“Upon receipt of the report, personnel from the Digos City Police Station (CPS) were immediately dispatched to the scene. A Provincial Dragnet Operation was likewise initiated without delay to pursue the suspects,” Ajero said in a statement.
Bucol had a strong presence on Facebook with over 379,000 followers and was using the social media platform to communicate with his constituents. He went live at around 9:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 25, to announce that a missing wallet was found by his acquaintance named Ting Derecho.
Derecho visited him at his residence to turn over the lost wallet. Bucol asked his viewers if they knew its owner, so it could be returned to him. The item contained cash and ID cards. Moments later, gunshots were heard. Witnesses on site panicked and ran for safety.
Halfway through the video, Bucol entered the frame with blood on his back. “Tabang, tabang! (Help, help!)” he was heard. People then came to his aid with some apparently distraught after he appeared to have lost consciousness.
“Investigators and intelligence operatives are actively following all leads and are currently gathering all available CCTV footage in the vicinity to aid in identifying and ultimately apprehending the perpetrator/s,” Ajero noted.
The Davao del Sur Police Provincial Office assured the public and the Bucol family that every effort is being exerted to ensure that justice is served. “We urge the community to cooperate and provide any information that may assist in the speedy resolution of this case.”
