Camp Col Romeo A Abendan, Zamboanga City – The Police Regional Office 9 (PRO9) conducted an investigation to determine the motives behind the shooting of the incumbent Mayor of Pitogo, Zamboanga del Sur and his two bodyguards at the entrance gate of his residence in Purok Paradise, Brgy. Poblacion, Pitogo, Zamboanga del Sur at about 7:55 PM of September 2, 2020.

Initial report disclosed that unidentified suspects fired upon the convoy of James L Yecyec, Municipal Mayor of Pitogo, Zamboanga del Sur on board his Yamaha Nmax motorcycle along with his two bodyguards identified as Selverio Ediang, 47 years old and Margarito F. Yangyang, 52 years old, also on board on their own motorcycle when they were about to enter the gate of the Mayor’s residence.

Yangyang sustained multiple gunshot wounds on his body and Ediang was hit on his right arm while Mayor Yecyec was unharmed.

The wounded victims were immediately brought to Zamboanga del Sur Medical Center, Pagadian City for proper medical attention, however Yangyang was pronounced dead on arrival (DOA) by the attending physician.

The unidentified suspects, who used a caliber 5.56 mm firearm in the commission of the crime fled towards Brgy. Liguac, Pitogo, Zamboanga del Sur on board a single motorcycle.

PBGen Jesus Cambay Jr, Regional Director, PRO9 ordered the Zamboanga del Sur Police Provincial Office (ZSPPO) to conduct hot pursuit manhunt operation against the perpetrators. He also urged the public to immediately report to the police any vital information that may help in the ongoing investigation and will lead to the arrest of the perpetrators. PIO-PRO9