- Advertisement -

By Erwin M. Mascariñas
Correspondent .

SURIGAO City — Dinagat Gov. Arlene “Kaka” Bag-ao yesterday ordered a no-nonsense investigation into the assassination of provincial board member here over the weekend.

- Advertisement -

“I, together with the provincial government and each and every Dinagatnon, call for justice. We will ensure the speedy resolution of this criminal act along with the prosecution and conviction of all those involved in the death of Board Member Wenefredo Olofernes,” she said.

According to Lt. Col. Christian Rafols, Caraga police spokesman, second-termer 52-year-old Dinagat board member Olofernes was shot to death by two motorycle-riding men.

The official was driving his motorcycle along Km. 2 in Barangay Luna at around 9:18 am Sunday when he was attacked.

Olofernes was rushed to the Caraga Regional Hospital where he was rponounced dead.

Police said Olofernes was heading home in Purok Springville-B, Barangay Luna, Surigao City when he was attacked.

Authorities are still determining the motive behind the killing, and are trying identify the assailants, said Rafols.

Bag-ao has issued a statement condemning the killing of Olofernes.

“He did not have any armed personnel with him when this despicable act happened, the reason for which is yet to determined,” said Bag-ao, a human rights lawyer who is on her first term as governor of Dinagat.

She said they are in contact with the police “in order to provide any assistance in the investigation and to put into the light all the facts surrounding this incident.”

“I express my sincerest condolences to his family, friends, loved ones, staff, and colleagues in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan. We lost a good leader in Dinagat (province),” she added.

Bag-ao noted that while Olofernes ran as an independent candidate in the May 13 elections, he still emerged on top of the race in the first provincial district of Dinagat, winning with 13,141 votes from the towns of Basilisa, Libjo, Loreto, and Tubajon.

Disclaimer

Mindanao Gold Star Daily holds the copyrights of all articles and photos in perpetuity. Any unauthorized reproduction in any platform, electronic and hardcopy, shall be liable for copyright infringement under the Intellectual Property Rights Law of the Philippines.

- Advertisement -