Peacemaker shot dead

DASMARIÑAS, Cavite — A barangay councilman was shot dead while trying to pacify a melee in Barangay Victoria Reyes this town.

Chief Inspector John Bulalacao, Damariñas police chief, identified the victim as Joemarie Panabe, 32, of Block 59, Lot 12, Purok 4, Barangay Victoria Reyes, Dasmariñas.

Suspect Alvin Cantimbuhan, grandson of Dasmariñas Vice Mayor Cansiano Cantimbuhan, is now in hiding and is being sought by the police.

Police prober SPO1 Carlito Gener said that a rumble occurred at about 11:30 p.m. Friday, while the victim was on duty as chief of the barangay peace and order council. The victim immediately responded and saw the suspect’s brother Jerry having a fistfight with another man.

While Panabe was trying to appease the duo, Alvin arrived with a handgun and allegedly shot the victim once thinking, that he was his brother’s opponent, the police said.

Panabe sustained a lone gunshot wound in the chest and died on the spot.

Panabe’s kin are appealing to concerned government agencies to look at their problem, fearing whitewash on the case as the suspect belongs to an influential family in Dasmariñas.