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A reelectionist barangay kagawad (councilman) who had been active in trying to solve many problems in his area like acquisition of firearms and ammunition by many civilians and small-scale miners was shot dead by unidentified armed men and women at around 9:40 p.m. Thursday evening in Barangay San Isidro, Santiago, Agusan del Norte.

A report from the Caraga Police Regional Information Office identified the victim as Barangay Kagawad Rommel Magdayo Moldez, 31, married and resident of Barangay San Isidro, Santiago town.

Moldez was seeking reelection as barangay kagawad of Barangay San Isidro, where Mount Sarog, a known gold rush area, is located.

Initial investigation showed that prior to the incident, unidentified armed men and women arrived and forcibly entered the house of Moldez, who was out at the time.

When Moldez arrived a few minutes later together with a certain Romnick Tupos, they were immediately ordered to drop on the ground, after which the barangay official was shot twice in the back.

The suspects left the place after the incident, saying they were also looking for another barangay kagawad named Angelito Garong.

Moldez was immediately taken to the Cabadbaran Emergency District Hospital, some 10 kilometers away from Barangay San Isidro, but he was pronounced dead on arrival by the attending physicians.

Relatives of the victim told police probers the killing could have been motivated by his direct involvement in the maintenance of peace and order situation in the mining area in Mount Sarug.

They claimed Moldez had received death threats prior to the incident.

Earlier, concerned civilians in the area aired complaints before authorities on the alleged buying spree of illegally acquired firearms and ammunitions by small scale miners and even ordinary civilians.

The Santiago Municipal Police Office is conducting further investigation to determine if the shooting incident was election-related since the victim was seeking reelection as barangay kagawad in the Oct. 25 Barangay election. - source: PNA

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