Monkayo, Davao de Oro -A barangay captain and a  barangay leader were shot dead  this morning by still unidentified gunmen believed to be hired killers. Dead on arrival at Davao de Oro Provincial Hospital  in Montevista were Barangay Captain Arnold Quizala of Barangay Tubo Tubo and Alice Montebon of Barangay Union Monkayo, Davao de Oro. 

Both victims were identified  as political leaders of  Rep. Manuel “Way Kurat” Zamora and his daughter Maricar who were shocked by the bloody incident. 

“We are greatly shocked and saddened at the tragic killing of our colleagues and strong leaders of our party, Barangay Captain Arnold Quizala, Barangay Captain of Tubo-tubo and Alice Montebon of Barangay Union who were shot dead just this morning at Picabe, Poblacion Monkayo”.

Congressman Zamora who is running for Mayor in Monkayo in 2022 and Maricar who is running for Congress in his stead both condemned the killing done in brosd daylight. 

 “With the help of our law enforcement agencies, we commit that those killers and their mastermind must be brought to justice as soon as possible”, they said in a joint statement. 

 “If the real motive was related to politics, it must be unacceptable. Our Monkayoans deserve better. Let us give our people the freedom to choose the leaders they want. Let the people’s will prevail in this coming election. Politics must not be stained by the blood of partisans, not even to our barangay officials. It must be confined to the confrontation of ideas and programs in the peaceful mediums of mutual respect and courtesy”.

Barangay Captain Quizala is also known to be a loyal leader and supporter of Hugpong ng Pagbabago convenor and former governor Arturo Uy and his son, incumbent Gov. Tyron Uy.  Montebon was also identified as the Pabahay Program coordinator of Congressman Zamora. The Uys condemned the murder of the victims and vowed to bring justice for the victims family. 

Initial police investigation revealed that Montebon was first fetched by the suspected gunmen who introduced themselves as DITO cell site contractors on board a black Toyota Fortuner and then later proceeded to the residence of Barangay Captain Quizala at Purok 4, Barangay Poblacion.

The gunmen immediately shot Quizala fatally hitting him in head the moment they came face to face. Subsequently they shot Montebon hitting her in different parts of the body.  The suspects fled towards Barangay Poblacion proper.

Three empty cartridges believed to be cal. 45 were recovered  from the crime scene. 

Earlier this week, business leaders  and other stakeholders expressed apprehension over the impact of divisive politics that loomed in the erstwhile peaceful Davao de Oro which is the second richest province in the country.  Their unease stemmed from the filing of candidates by PDP-Laban against the incumbent Mayors in the province who are mostly members of HnP.