A barangay chairman in Jaen, Nueva Ecija, was fatally shot outside his home in the early hours of Wednesday, November 13, as reported by RH Grace Sansano.
The victim, identified as 41-year-old Kapitan Mark Vic Corpuz Pascual of Barangay Don Mariano, was reportedly outside his house around midnight, seeking fresh air, when unknown assailants in a Vios sedan suddenly opened fire. Pascual was rushed to the hospital but was later pronounced dead.
Witnesses noted that the gunmen might have used a firearm with a silencer, as nearby residents did not hear gunshots clearly during the incident.
Pascual, who was the nephew of current Jaen Mayor Sylvia Corpuz Austria, became the first casualty recorded since the recent filing of Certificates of Candidacy (COC) for the upcoming local and national elections.
The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) have flagged Jaen as an election watchlist area due to its history of election-related violence.
Authorities are currently reviewing CCTV footage to gather leads and advance the investigation.
