A 70-year-old retired government employee was killed in a shooting incident in Barangay Puerta Real, Sto. Domingo, Ilocos Sur on Wednesday, marking the eighth shooting incident recorded in the province this month, according to the Ilocos Sur Police Provincial Office.

In a press statement issued Wednesday, Ilocos Sur Police Provincial director Agosto M. Asuncion strongly condemned the attack and assured the public that authorities are taking swift action to identify and arrest those responsible.

The ISPPO said police units immediately responded to the incident and implemented a seal-off plan following receipt of the report. Investigators are currently conducting a thorough probe to determine the identities of the perpetrators and establish the motive behind the killing.

Police also announced intensified intelligence gathering, increased police visibility, checkpoint operations and strengthened coordination with other law enforcement agencies as part of efforts to preserve peace and order across the province.