DASMARIÑAS CITY, Cavite — Police have identified the victims of a fatal shooting during a flag-raising ceremony Monday morning in Barangay Salitran 3, Dasmariñas City, where a former barangay watchman opened fire, killing three officials and injuring another before taking his own life.

According to PLTCOL Regino L. Oñate, acting chief of the Dasmariñas Component City Police Station, the fatalities were identified only by their aliases as Raul, 56, the barangay captain; Marvin, 54, a barangay councilor; and Jose, 65, also a councilor. All were shot at close range around 8 a.m. during the ceremony.

An SK secretary, identified by the alias Christine Joseph, sustained serious injuries and is currently being treated at a hospital.

The suspect, identified by police as Ariel, 50, a former barangay tanod (village watchman) of the same community, reportedly approached the officials from behind and fired using an unidentified type of firearm. He later shot himself and was declared dead at St. Paul Medical Center.

Dasmariñas police immediately launched an investigation, collecting CCTV footage, conducting a forensic examination with SOCO, and performing a paraffin test on the suspect.

PCOL Dwight E. Alegre, acting provincial director of the Cavite Police Provincial Office, urged the public to remain calm but vigilant, and to report any suspicious activity to authorities.

“We will not rest until justice is served for the victims and their families,” Alegre said in a statement.

The investigation is ongoing to determine the motive behind the attack.