Tanod on patrol duty gunned down

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A barangay tanod (village tanod) who was rendering patrol duty was gunned down early morning of March 31, 2020 in La Paz, Iloilo City.

Police identified the victim as Jarel Pestaño, 23, of Barangay Gustilo, La Paz.

Police Major Edsel Balibadlan, La Paz police chief, said Pestaño was sitting on their village patrol vehicle around 12:30 a.m. of Tuesday when the gunman approach him.

The gunman immediately pumped several bullets into Pestaño then fled towards the dike area of Barangay Jereos, La Paz.

The victim was rushed to West Visayas State University Medical Center where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Balibadlan, who just assumed as La Paz police chief very recently, said they are still looking into the suspect’s profile.

“We are still investigating the possible motive and suspect/s of the killing,” he said.

But Balibadlan claimed that Pestaño was a drug surrenderer and had, in fact, completed his community rehabilitation program.

He was allegedly arrested for an illegal drugs offense but was released after entering into a plea bargaining agreement.