6 killed in shootings

MANILA, Philippines - Six persons, including two barangay captains, were killed in gun attacks across the country in the past three days.

Bernard Visaya, chairman of Barangay Dicolor in Gerona town in Tarlac, was in his service vehicle on his way to the barangay hall when he was shot yesterday.

Visaya was pronounced dead on arrival at the Jecson Medical Center in Tarlac City.

Prior to the shooting, the neighbors of the victim said unidentified motorcycle-riding men were seen passing by the barangay hall.

Also yesterday, Police Officer 3 Lovel Tan, an intelligence agent involved in the war on drugs, was at his rented house in M’lang town in North Cotabato when two men entered and shot him three times.

Lino Olivar, 53, employee of the city government in Tanauan, Batangas, was shot as he came out of a tricycle on his way to work at around 7 a.m. yesterday.

In Butuan City, Antenor Villamor, 44, chairman of Barangay Mahay, was at his house when two men who said they wanted to seek his assistance shot him several times as he emerged from the bathroom. He died while being treated at the Butuan City Maternity Hospital.

Ronnie Aliman, security aide of Ronald Aquino, mayor of Calbayog City in Samar, and Marlon Gaselos, an employee of Procter and Gamble Philippines, were having a drinking spree when four men fired at them at around 5 p.m. on Sunday. The incident occurred two days after motorcycle-riding men shot dead a traffic enforcer while manning his post.

Police have yet to determine the motives for the killings. – Ding Cervantes, Miriam Desacada, Arnell Ozaeta, Ben Serrano, John Unson