PNP identifies person of interest in the killing of Batangas village chair

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) has identified a person of interest in the killing of a 50-year-old barangay chairman in Batangas on Thursday.

Dennis Austria, chairman of Barangay Sta. Anastacia in Sto. Tomas City, was shot dead at his residence.

In a press briefing on Friday, PNP public information chief Col. Allen Rae Co showed video footage of Austria cleaning around the terrace at his house in a subdivision at 6:20 a.m. when an armed man shot him.

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After committing the crime, the gunman fled and went to his companion, who was riding a motorcycle that became their getaway vehicle.

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READ: Batangas village chair shot dead inside home

According to Co, the Police Regional Office 4A (Calabarzon) is investigating the case and has already identified a “person of interest.”

“We have solid leads as to the identity of the perpetrator,” the PNP official said.

Based on the initial investigation, the possible motive of the crime was a past feud, noting that the barangay captain previously filed a grave threats complaint against the person.

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“He had a fight with someone. He had filed a complaint against that person. This barangay captain filed a grave threat complaint against the person,” Co said.

The victim sustained four gunshot wounds—two in the arms and two in the head.

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The police recovered four .45 caliber fire cartridges from the scene. /apl