‘TASK GROUP LAMELA’: Police Identify Two Persons of Interest in Killing of Village Chief, Husband

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Police have identified two persons of interest in the December 5 killing of a barangay captain and her husband in Dueñas, Iloilo.

The Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) Lamela, formed a day after the incident, declined to reveal the identities of the individuals under investigation.

Major Rolando Araño, spokesperson for the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO), said the task group is considering two possible motives: old grudges and political rivalry.

Araño stated that it remains unclear whether the primary target was Barangay Captain Michelle Lapastora Lamela, 47, or her husband, Rodney Arellano Lamela, 48, both residents of Barangay Sto. Niño, Dueñas.

In 2008, Rodney faced a homicide charge, but the case was dismissed after an alleged settlement with the victim’s family.

Last year, unidentified assailants strafed the couple’s hut, further complicating the investigation.

Police are also looking into the possibility of a political motive since Michelle was an elected barangay official.

Araño defended the creation of the SITG Lamela, citing the involvement of a government official in the incident.

The task group, headed by IPPO director Colonel Bayani Razalan, includes representatives from multiple units, such as the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), Regional Legal Office, Regional Forensic Unit 6, Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit, Highway Patrol Group (HPG) 6, Regional Intelligence Unit, and IPPO Provincial Intelligence Unit.

The couple was ambushed while riding a motorcycle toward the town proper.

Police reports indicated that two motorcycle-riding suspects intercepted the couple in Barangay Tinucuan and fired at them multiple times.

Both victims sustained gunshot wounds to various parts of their bodies and were rushed to Don Valerio Palmares Sr. District Hospital in Passi City, where they were declared dead on arrival.