(UPDATED/CORRECTED) The president of the Association of Barangay Captains (ABC) of Bulacan and his driver were shot dead Thursday afternoon in Malolos City, Bulacan.

According to the initial investigation of the Malolos PNP, Ramil Capistrano and his 23-year-old driver Shedrick Suarez were traversing the service road of Barangay Ligas on board their SUV when a gunman approached and shot them, resulting in their deaths.

The PNP has launched a hot pursuit operation against the gunman who immediately fled the scene after the shooting.

Two other female passengers survived after hiding under the vehicle. 

Investigators recovered around 50 spent bullets from a suspected high-powered firearm in the crime scene. 

A local official of Barangay Ligas said he heard a barrage of gunshots in the area.  

“Actually wala na (ang mga salarin). Ang nakita namin umaandar ang sasakyan pero umiikot naka-reverse pa ang gulong. May sumabog yun pala yung gulong,” said barangay councilor Severino dela Cruz, Jr. 

“Hindi namin ano, pero tingin namin hindi naka-motor (yung mga salarin),” he added. 

Capistrano’s vehicle hit an e-trike before skidding to a halt near a store. 

Edwin Base said his two underage children who were in the store during the incident experienced trauma.  

“Pagbalik ko mga kalahating oras, nakita ko ganyan na ang nangyari. Nakapasok na ang sasakyan diyan,” Base said. “Di makausap… hindi na rin masabi ng mga anak ko, kasi natakot na rin.” 

Bulacan Governor Daniel Fernando and Vice Governor Alex Castro condemned the crime and promised justice for the victims.  

“Hinihiling ko ang tulong ng ating kapulisan at pakikiisa ng mga mamamayan — sa awa at tulong ng Diyos ay gagawin natin ang lahat tungo sa mabilis na imbestigasyon upang mapanagot sa batas ang sinumang nasa likod ng pamamaslang na ito,” Fernando said. 

“Hinihimok natin ang ating kapulisan na magsagawa ng agaran at masusing imbestigasyon upang mahuli at mapanagot ang sinuman na nasa likod ng karumaldumal na krimen na ito,” Castro added. 

Raul Casinillo, a village watchman from Barangay Caingin, said Capistrano was humble, kind, and had no enemies. 

“Mabait siya. Mapagbigay din siya… Noong hapon ko na lang nang malaman na siya’y nawala. Nagulat nga lang din ako nang sinabi ng mga kasamahan ko na wala na siya. Gulat na gulat ako pati ang mga kasamahan ko,” he said.

“Siya yung tipong kapitan na hindi niya kailangan magsuot ng magarang suot para maipagmalaki niya yung kanyang position. Tumutulong siya sa mga nasalanta ng bagyo, bumababa siya sa kung saan-saan na lugar,” added Reniel de Vera, a village councilor from Barangay Pantubig. 

“Sa loob ng 9 years na pagiging bokal din niya sa buong Bulacan. Wala, wala talaga [siyang kaaway],” he added.