Murcia: The Murcia Municipal Police Station in Negros Occidental launched a pursuit operation for the assailants in the murder of Sta. Rosa village councilor Joe Arnel Gawan on Monday. In a report, the Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) said the 59-year-old official was shot by an undetermined number of persons while alighting from a vehicle along the road in Purok Puncian about 10:25 a.m.

According to Philippines News Agency, police have not yet confirmed the number of assailants involved in the attack. "We can't confirm yet how many persons fired at the victim. There's no witness yet who can provide concrete information," Capt. Honey Labaro, town police chief, said in a radio interview.

In a separate interview, fellow councilor Nicholas Jundana shared that Gawan was on his way home after participating in a village clean-up activity when the incident occurred. He urged those who witnessed the event or have information to assist in bringing justice for the councilor.

The PRO-NIR reported that the Murcia Municipal Police Station is actively conducting follow-up operations to identify and locate the suspects. Assistance from scene of the crime operatives has been requested to aid in the investigation. "Hot pursuit operation was conducted and the conduct of dragnet operations from neighboring police stations was also requested," the report added.