Health officer gunned down in Dinagat Islands

BUTUAN CITY – The Provincial Health Officer (PHO) of Dinagat Islands (PDI) was gunned down Thursday night by an unidentified gunman at Purok 2, Barangay New Mabuhay, Dinagat town, Dinagat Islands province.

PDI PPO Provincial Director Senior Supt. Ramir Perlito P. Perlas identified the PDI PHO Officer as Dr. Vicente L. Soco Jr., 46, a native of San Francisco town, Agusan del Sur province.

The Dinagat Municipal Police Station (MPS) and PDI PPO said the victim was watching TV while waiting for dinner when an unidentified gunman barged into his house at 7:40 p.m. on Thursday and peppered Soco with shots from a still unidentified caliber pistol.

Jay-r Porras, his companion in the house, said that after he heard the gunshot, he saw Soco fall to the ground and saw the unidentified suspect walk away, who boarded his motorcycle and fled.

The victim was first brought to Dinagat District Hospital, then was transferred to Caraga Regional Hospital in Surigao City where he expired while undergoing treatment on Friday.

Police said the victim was not on the drug watch list nor was he a drug surrenderer of Dinagat Municipal Police Station (MPS),.

Follow-up investigation is still being conducted by Dinagat MPS and PDI PPO to determine the motive of the incident and identity of the suspect.

PRO 13 Regional Director Chief Supt. Felix ordered police forces on that island province to mobilize to hunt down the perpetrator.