By Leilanie Adriano

CRIME SCENE. Police cordon off the area where a village chief and his son were shot in San Juan, Ilocos Sur around 7 p.m. on Monday (Sept. 23, 2024). The police are still determining the identity of the attacker and the possible motive of the killing. (Photo screengrabbed from DWRS Radio FB Live)

LAOAG CITY – An incumbent village chief and his son were killed by gunmen riding in tandem in Barangay Lapting, San Juan, Ilocos Sur Monday night.

Police identified the victims as Bello Joseph Padua Valorozo, 52, and his son, Jomar, 24, both residents of Barangay Caronoan, San Juan town.

The San Juan Municipal Police Station reported that at around 7:10 p.m. on Monday, the victims were on board a Mitsubishi MV 100 van on their way home from a cockpit arena when they were shot by the still unidentified gunmen.

The older Valorozo was rushed to the Suero General Hospital in Cabugao, where he was declared dead on arrival.

His son was rushed to the Pira Hospital in Cabugao but was transferred to Northside Doctors Hospital in Bantay, Ilocos Sur, but died while undergoing treatment from multiple gunshot wounds.

A dragnet operation was conducted immediately after the incident and the police are still determining the motive of the crime. (PNA)