Authorities have launched a manhunt for a barangay captain suspected of opening fire near a political headquarters in Barangay Mambulac, Silay City, Negros Occidental on Election Day, leaving two people dead and seven others injured.
According to Police General Arnold Ibay, regional director for the Negros Island Region, the shooting occurred in front of a campaign headquarters while polls were ongoing.
“The suspect, a barangay chairman, allegedly fired at people gathered outside the headquarters. Nine individuals were hit—two were dead on arrival, and seven are being treated for injuries,” Ibay said in an interview with GMA Integrated News.
The casualties and other victims are reportedly city hall employees. They were having coffee around 6:00 a.m. when gunmen aboard a van opened fire at them, according to reports.
The group was reportedly on duty, monitoring potential vote-buying activities in connection with the 2025 elections.
Police have identified the suspect based on witness accounts, including a statement from another barangay captain. Authorities are now conducting a region-wide manhunt for the gunman and possible accomplices.
While investigators have yet to confirm the motive, police are not ruling out the possibility that the incident is election-related, given its timing and the suspect’s position.
“Right now, we’re still looking into the motive. What we know is that the suspect is a barangay captain and that the shooting happened on Election Day,” Ibay added.
Despite the violence, Ibay assured the public that voting across the Negros Island Region, including Siquijor, remains generally peaceful and uninterrupted.
Ibay said this is the only major incident they are monitoring as the voting process continues across the region. —With Rex Espiritu