By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Two individuals, including a barangay kagawad, were killed, while five others, including four barangay tanods, were wounded following a recent shooting incident at a checkpoint in Murcia’s Barangay Minoyan. Authorities identified the fatalities as Kagawad Rex Dalmacio; along with Junel Cardinal, a resident of the municipality’s Barangay Canlandog who is believed to be one of two suspects.
The wounded were identified as Barangay Tanods Romeo Canoy, Samuel Ciocon, Rommel Udani, and Alex Losorio; alongside the other suspect, identified as Alfredo Agustin, who was reportedly wounded in the knee.
Murcia town police chief, Police Major Robert Dejucos, said, based on their investigation, the suspects were intercepted by Dalmacio, alongside local barangay tanods, for violating curfew. When the team was readying their vehicle to transport the two suspects to the Murcia Municipal Police Station, Agustin reportedly opened fire, hitting Dalmacio first.
Despite being fatally wounded, Dalmacio, a retired soldier, drew his firearm and shot Cardinal.
Agustin then fled the crime scene.
Murcia police then conducted a manhunt operation, which led to Agustin’s arrest at the home of his brother in the town’s Barangay Lopez Jaena yesterday.
Dejucos said Agustin refused to be endorsed at police because he has a pending warrant on murder charges.
The law enforcement official said they are conducting a thorough investigation as reports claim Agustin and Cardinal may be involved with local robbery cases, along with allegations of associating with gun-for-hire operations.
Meanwhile, Agustin said that they were traveling from Bago City when they were intercepted by barangay officials./DGB, WDJ