P’sinan bocap shot dead in ambush, gunman known

By Liezle Basa Iñigo

SAN JACINTO, Pangasinan — An incumbent barangay chairman in this town was killed in an ambush carried out by a lone gunman Tuesday afternoon, police said.

Senior Insp. Mark Ryan Taminaya, local chief of police, said Chairman Edward R Ronquillo, married, of Barangay Bolo, this town, succumbed to six bullet wounds in the head and body.

Citing the initial investigation, Taminaya said Ronquillo was riding his motorcycle home from a meeting at the San Jacinto Municipal Hall around 2 p.m. when he was waylaid somewhere in Barangay Capaoay.

The victim was taken to the Region 1 Medical Center, Dagupan City but declared dead on arrival by the attending physician.

Taminaya said investigators have identified the suspected gunman as Christian Banderlipe, alias “Biloy,” who fled the scene after the shooting.

But the motive in the killing was still under investigation.

Senior Supt. Wilzon Joseph Lopez, Pangasinan Police Provincial Office director, has ordered an intensive hunt for the suspect.