BY MA. THERESA LADIAO
ILOILO City – A former barangay captain of Ingore, La Paz district was declared dead on arrival at the hospital after he was shot at a public market in Barangay Baldoza around 6:45 a.m. yesterday, August 5.
The 63-year-old Ernie Poral sustained a gunshot wound on his head and was pronounced dead by the attending physician at the West Visayas State University Medical Center, according to Staff Sergeant Michael Soleño, investigator of the La Paz police station.
An investigation of the La Paz police revealed that Poral was buying chicken feeds when an unidentified gunman, wearing black pants, black jacket and a black full-faced helmet, approached him.
A video footage from a closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera showed the suspect emerging from behind a parked vehicle and approached the victim.
Police said the suspect shot the victim at close range.
The gunman quickly fled onboard a motorcycle, heading towards the coastal area.
In an interview with Panay News, witness Leila, who owns the poultry feeds store, recounted the chilling incident.
“Poral was turning when the gunman shot him. A child passing by was splattered with blood and fell down. It was all so sudden,” Leila said.
Antonio Jaleco, a barangay kagawad of Baldoza and a friend of Poral, said the victim and his wife went to the public market together.
“His wife went to buy vegetables while Poral went to buy feeds. They were only a few steps apart when the shots were fired. His wife turned around and saw her husband collapsed,” Jaleco recounted.
Poral’s family, meanwhile, ruled out politics as the motive behind the killing. They said the victim had never mentioned receiving any death threats.
As of this writing, La Paz police were still probing the incident to determine the motive of the killing and identify the gunman.
Colonel Kim Legada, officer-in-charge of the Iloilo City Police Office, said they are still investigating members of the family, witnesses and CCTV footages for the possible routes of the suspect.
Meanwhile, Mayor Jerry Treñas and Vice Mayor Jeffrey Ganzon condemned the killing of the former barangay captain.
“I condemn in the strongest terms possible the murder of former Kap Ernie Poral. I call on the Philippine National Police to exhaust the perpetrator,” Mayor Treñas said, adding that violence has no place in a civilized society.
For his part, Vice Mayor Ganzon, in a Facebook post following the incident, said:
“I condemn the tragic death of former barangay captain Ernie Poral, who was gunned down this morning. We are committed to ensuring justice and extend our heartfelt condolences to his family during this difficult time.”/PN
