Former barangay captain shot dead in Bantay, Ilocos Sur; brother surrenders

A former barangay captain was shot dead, allegedly by his own brother—the incumbent barangay captain of Barangay Sagneb in Bantay, Ilocos Sur—during a heated confrontation on the morning of 25 December 2025.

The shooting occurred at around 9:20 a.m. in Barangay Sagneb. A witness reported that he and the victim were riding a kurong-kurong heading east toward Malingeb when they stopped near a billiard area close to the suspect’s residence, where the suspect was also present. According to the witness, the victim alighted from the vehicle, and the suspect approached him while armed with a pistol.

The two then engaged in a heated argument before the suspect allegedly fired multiple shots at the victim until he emptied his magazine. The suspect’s sister, identified as Mary Grace Remulacio, reportedly intervened in an attempt to pacify him.

The victim was rushed to Northside Hospital for medical treatment but was later declared dead due to fatal gunshot wounds, particularly to the chest area.

Following the incident, the suspect fled but later surrendered at about 11:15 a.m. on the same day to the Bantay Police in Barangay Ora, Bantay, Ilocos Sur. Authorities said he also turned over the firearm believed to have been used in the crime—a caliber .45 Armscor pistol without a serial number—along with one empty magazine assembly. Investigators also recovered five spent shells of caliber .45 ammunition from the crime scene.

Police said the suspect’s identity remains temporarily withheld pending the filing of appropriate charges.