Nueva Ecija, Philippines — A barangay captain was killed while another man was injured in a shooting incident carried out by motorcycle-riding assailants in General Mamerto Natividad, Nueva Ecija on Tuesday morning, March 17, 2026.

Authorities identified the fatality as Arthur Bautista, 40, the incumbent barangay captain of Barangay Kabulihan. He was rushed to Premier General Hospital but was declared dead on arrival.

Another victim, Conrado Villena, 56, a farmer, sustained gunshot wounds and is currently in stable condition while undergoing treatment.

According to the General Mamerto Natividad police, the attack occurred around 8:00 a.m. when two unidentified suspects on a motorcycle opened fire, hitting both Bautista and Villena. The assailants fled toward Cabanatuan City after the shooting.

Responding officers immediately launched Oplan Bakod, a dragnet operation aimed at tracking down the suspects. Despite the swift response, the perpetrators managed to escape.

Police investigators are now coordinating with the Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) of the Nueva Ecija Provincial Forensic Unit. They are interviewing possible witnesses and reviewing CCTV footage in the area to identify the gunmen and establish the motive behind the attack.

The killing of Bautista has shocked the local community, with residents calling for justice and stronger measures against motorcycle-riding criminals, a modus operandi that has been linked to numerous violent incidents across the province.

Authorities assured the public that the investigation will be pursued thoroughly to bring the perpetrators to justice and restore peace in Barangay Kabulihan.