Barangay chairman shot dead in Batangas; cops eye dispute as motive

A barangay chairman in Batangas was fatally shot by an unidentified suspect while he was cleaning outside his house.

In a "24 Oras" report by Jun Veneracion on Friday, authorities identified the victim as Barangay Sta. Anastacia Chairman Dennis Austria.

According to the Philippine National Police (PNP), the victim sustained four gunshot wounds.

“We were able to recover two deformed slugs as well as four fired cartridges ng caliber .45, and ‘yung victim sustained 4 gunshot wounds—two in the arms and two in the head,” PNP spokesperson P/Colonel Allen Rae Co said.

The PNP stated that they already have a person of interest and a promising lead in the chairman's killing.

Among the angles being investigated by authorities is the possibility that the crime is connected to a grave threat case previously filed by the victim against an individual he had a dispute with.

“Previous altercation 'yun ang tinitignan natin ngayon o ang pinakamalapit na motibo. May nakaaway po siya. Meron siyang kinasuhan, so ‘yun po ang una natin,” Co said.

(A previous altercation is currently our main angle or closest motive. He had a dispute with someone and filed charges against them, so that is our primary lead.)

Authorities are continuously reviewing CCTV footage to identify the gunman and his driver, who fled on a getaway motorcycle.

Austria’s family is seeking justice and urging the public to report any information regarding the incident to authorities.

“Humihingi kami ng hustisya kasi nga kilala naman ng buong barangay na sobrang bait ni tatay. Kung sino man po nakakaalam ng pumatay sa tatay ko, magbigay alam po kayo sa pulis,” Kristoffer Austria said.

(We are seeking justice because the entire barangay knows how good-natured my father was. To anyone who knows who killed my father, please report it to the police.) —Lyjah Tiffany Bonzo/RF, GMA News