Investigators have secured leads in the May 26 shooting of an Indian national in Lictin, San Andres and, thanks to a few seconds of CCTV footage, have identified persons of interest in the case.
This was disclosed last week by Catanduanes police provincial director PCol. Virgilio R. Buena in an interview with the local media at Camp MSg. Francisco Camacho.
Buena said that the incident occurred during a power outage, rendering useless a number of CCTV cameras of establishments in the area and initially making difficult the police effort to identify the suspects and trace their movements.
“Thanks to a solar-powered CCTV system owned by a resident who informed the police, investigators were able to recover footage showing the scene on the highway a few seconds before the shooting happened,” he stated.
Starting with the CCTV footage, the police were able to secure leads, identify persons of interest and develop a clearer idea into the likely motive behind the shooting.
PD Buena refused to divulge further details as it could compromise the ongoing probe but promised that positive developments are forthcoming.
At the same time, he disclosed that the Catanduanes police is strengthening the anti-criminality campaign pursuant to the directive of Governor Patrick Alain T. Azanza.
Police visibility is also being heightened in compliance with the order of Police Regional Director BGen. Erosito Miranda to bring the police closer to the people and maintain peace and order in the community.
According to the official report, the Indian national identified as Satwant Singh, 44, a resident of San Roque, Virac, was driving his Yamaha Mio Gravis motorcycle along the national highway in barangay Lictin while bound for San Andres poblation at around 1 PM of May 26, 2026 when two unidentified persons riding in tandem on a motorcycle closed in and shot at the victim twice, hitting him on the chest and lower rib area.
The suspects, who wore helmets, black sweatshirts and balaclava or face mask, were riding a blue Rusi motorcycle similar to a Honda TMX bike.
They fled towards the direction of barangay Palawig after shooting Singh.
Responding personnel of the San Andres Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) rushed the victim to the Juan M. Alberto Memorial District Hospital for emergency treatment.
He was later transferred to the Catanduanes Doctors Hospital, Inc. (CDHI) for emergency surgery and was later declared in stable condition.
To expedite the resolution of the case, PD Buena immediately convened an emergency case conference and ordered the activation of a Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) to lead and synchronize all investigative and operational efforts.
The SITG launched a comprehensive and coordinated investigation, including the immediate retrieval and review of CCTV footage along possible escape routes and entry points, as well as the systematic taking of sworn statements from witnesses and persons of interest who may have seen the suspects before or after the attack.
Other measures taken were intensified intelligence gathering and follow-up operations, including dragnet checkpoints and possible hot pursuit operations in identified escape routes; coordination with neighboring police stations and law enforcement units to prevent possible escape outside the province; and forensic examination of recovered evidence from the crime scene to establish the identity of the gunmen and determine the motive behind the attack.
The incident has prompted the Bicol regional police command to direct the strengthening of police visibility, mobile patrols, and security deployment in key areas of Catanduanes, particularly along major highways and vulnerable routes, to deter similar violent incidents and reassure public safety.
PBGen. Miranda emphasized the sustained commitment of the police force to resolve the case swiftly and bring the perpetrators to justice.
“We condemn this brazen act of violence and assure the public that all necessary police resources are now fully deployed to resolve this case at the soonest possible time. Through the SITG, intensified investigation, and coordinated operational efforts, PRO 5 will ensure that those responsible are identified, arrested, and held accountable under the law. We also commit to strengthening police visibility and preventive operations to avoid similar incidents in the future,” he stated.