BY GEROME DALIPE IV
ILOILO City – Officials here have condemned the killing of former Ingore, La Paz barangay captain Ernie Poral.
They expressed their outrage and called for a thorough investigation to bring the perpetrators to justice.
“I condemn in the strongest terms possible murder of former Kap. Ernie Poral. I call on the PNP to exhaust all means to identify and arrest the perpetrator. Violence has no place in a civilized society,” said Mayor Jerry Treñas.
Iloilo City Lone District’s Cong. Julienne Baronda also condemned what she termed as the “senseless killing” of Poral.
“I call on the Iloilo City Police Office to immediately solve this crime by arresting the gunman and the mastermind,” said Baronda.
“Let us not allow evil to reign through these brazen killings. Through the leadership of our police authorities and with the strong support of the citizenry, let us make justice and peace rule in the City of Iloilo,” she added.
Vice Mayor Jeffrey Ganzon joined the call for the swift arrest and filing of the charge against the gunman.
“We are committed to ensuring justice and extend our heartfelt condolences to his family during this difficult time,” said Ganzon.
Councilor Sedfrey Cabaluna, the City Council’s committee on public order and security chairman, emphasized the need for safety and security in the community and the commitment to uphold the rule of law.
Cabaluna urged law enforcement agencies to prioritize the case and reassure the public of their efforts to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
Poral, 65, died instantly after the lone gunman shot him in the head. The CCTV footage showed the gunman, who wore a green helmet and black jacket, finished him off with two more shots as the bloodied Poral slumped on the pavement.
Police said Poral went with his wife to the Barangay Baldoza flea market.
The couple went separately to the market when the wife bought vegetables while Poral purchased fowl feeds.
The gunman casually approached Poral and shot him in the head. The suspect immediately sped off on board a black Yamaha Mio motorcycle going to Barangay La Granja. The police said they are not discounting the possibility the gunman is a contract killer./PN