Brutal Killing of Cagayan Village Councilor Shocks Community
TUGUEGARAO CITY – A 59-year-old village councilor was tragically gunned down by motorcycle-riding assailants in Barangay Palca, Tuao town, Cagayan, on the morning of June 19. Local authorities reported the shocking incident late Thursday.
Rodrigo Dupitas, a respected councilor from Barangay Angca in Tuao, died after sustaining gunshot wounds to his head. The attack has left the community in mourning and raised concerns over local safety.
Suspects Caught After Pursuit
Police Colonel Mardito Anguluan, the director of the Cagayan Provincial Police, confirmed that the suspects were arrested late Thursday afternoon. Eyewitnesses described the attackers as two men wearing helmets and sweatshirts—one dressed in red who drove the motorcycle and the other in black, who was the gunman seated behind.
Law enforcement officers from the Tuao police, the Cagayan mobile force, and the victim’s wife worked together to track and apprehend the suspects in nearby Barangay Bagumbayan. The swift response helped prevent their escape.
Details from the Crime Scene
Crime scene investigators from the Regional Forensic Unit 2 (RFU2) recovered crucial evidence, including two empty .45-caliber shells, one live bullet, a motorcycle fitted with an improvised sidecar, and a blood-stained cotton swab. These findings are expected to aid the ongoing investigation.
Local officials confirmed the suspects hail from Zamboanga del Norte but were temporarily residing in Tuao. Authorities have filed murder charges against the detainees, citing probable cause.
Community Reacts Amid Growing Violence
The murder echoes previous violent incidents in the region, such as the fatal shooting of a Cagayan town mayor during a campaign event. These attacks have heightened the sense of urgency among local leaders and law enforcement to address crime effectively.
Cagayan Assistant Provincial Prosecutor Salvador Mallillin emphasized the legal grounds for the suspects’ arrest and prosecution. He assured the public that justice will be pursued diligently.
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