A high-value drug target was allegedly shot Wednesday night by riding-in-tandem suspects along Cerdeña Street in Barangay 8, San Jose de Buenavista, Antique.

The victim was identified as 47-year-old jail guard Jonathan Pava, who died from two gunshot wounds to the head.

According to San Jose de Buenavista police chief, Police Superintendent Mark Anthony Darroca, Pava was aboard his motorcycle when he was fired upon by two men aboard another motorcycle around 7:00 p.m. Following the initial shooting, the victim fell to the ground, where he was shot again.

Police recovered four empty shells for a caliber .45 pistol from the crime scene.

Darroca believes the incident was planned.

The police chief also pointed out, Pava was on President Rodrigo Duterte’s “narco-list,” as he had previously surrendered to police under “Oplan: Tokhang.”

While Pava denied the allegations, intelligence reports suggested he was linked with a drug group in the province and operated as a drug protector. He was also accused of smuggling drugs into the Antique Rehabilitation Center, where was assigned as a guard.

“As of now, all possible motives are being entertained, but we are focusing on illegal drugs,” Darroca affirmed.

Police are still looking into the identities of the suspect./WDJ