VP Sara condemns killing of Digos barangay chief

Vice President Sara Duterte condemned the killing of a barangay chairman in Digos City, Davao del Sur, who was shot dead while livestreaming on Facebook on Tuesday night, 25 November.

"Ipinahahayag ko ang matinding galit at dalamhati sa pagpaslang sa Brgy. Kapitan ng Tres De Mayo, Digos City na si Oscar Bucol Jr., o mas kilala bilang Kap Dodong,” Duterte said in a statement on Thursday.

“Ginampanan lamang ni Kap Dodong ang kanyang karapatang magsalita sa korapsyon at pulitika ng malaya at ito ay pinatahimik gamit ang baril at bala,” she added.

The barangay chairman was seen on video talking to a man inside his home who had reportedly returned a lost-and-found identification card. Minutes later, multiple gunshots were heard. He was then seen bleeding and walking while calling for help. He was brought to a hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival after sustaining a gunshot wound.

The Vice President also expressed sympathies to the family of the slain official.

“Ipinapaabot namin ang aming pakikiramay sa pamilya, mga kasamahan, at komunidad na naapektuhan ng trahedyang ito,” Duterte said.

“Sa pag-alala sa kanya, muli naming pinagtitibay ang aming paninindigan na protektahan ang mga karapatan at kalayaang nagbibigay-daan sa lahat na magsalita, magtanong, at makibahagi nang walang pangamba,” she added.

The village chief was known for being active on social media, publicly criticizing local officials on issues related to criminality and politics.

An in-depth investigation is ongoing to identify the perpetrator and determine the motive behind the killing.