Two incumbent Barangay Chairmen were reported dead in two separate shooting incidents in Zamboanga del Sur prior to the conduct of synchronized Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections last October 29.

The casualties were identified as Perfecto S. Paran, 54, sitting barangay captain who  sought for re-election of Barangay Lower Landing, Dumingag and one Alejandro Gerodias, 41, incumbent Barangay Captain and ran a Barangay Kagawad of Gawil, Kumalarang, all of this province.

Police report disclosed that Paran on board his motorcycle was shot to death by unidentified gunman while on his way home from a meeting in Poblacion Dumingag last October 26 at about 7:45 in the evening.

Since it was 3 days away to the October 29 elections, Paran’s son named Ramonito, 29 signified his intention before the Comelec to replace his lost father, eventually, Ramonito won in the elections, Provincial Comelec Supervisor Ignacio Baya told the ZamPen News in an interview.

Gerodias, according to Baya, the victim prevailed No. 1 in the votes cast in Barangay Gawil as constituents still voted for him in spite of his untimely demise.  But in this case the No. 2 winning Barangay Kagawad will advance to No. 1 and the No. 8 will sit as the 7th since no relative of Gerodias replaced him before election day, Baya explained.   

Nevertheless, Gerodias’ killing is considered as solved according to PNP Provincial Director Ramon M. Ochotorena by the Police when the suspect identified as Jeck Jeck Maloloy-on was caught in a hot-pursuit operation.