7 killed in gun attacks

MANILA, Philippines – Seven persons, including a barangay captain, were killed in separate gun attacks in Luzon on Friday.

The Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) police identified five of the fatalities as Rogelio Sanchez, Rodelito Mendoza, Alberto Catibog, Renato Espeleta and Regie Alcantara.

Sanchez, chairman of Barangay Balagbag; Espeleta and Alcantara were shot by unidentified motorcycle-riding men in San Juan, Batangas; Barangay Cuta in Batangas City and Barangay Malabanban Sur in Candelaria, Quezon, respectively.

Mendoza was gunned down in Buenavista, General Trias City in Cavite while Catibog was shot dead by unidentified men in a gray Honda car in Barangay Pagolingin West in Lipa City.

The victims died at the scene.

In Masbate, Nonong Tumulak was shot dead in Sitio Jumao-as, Barangay Pin-as in Cawayan town.

Security guard Laurio Waren was gunned down while visiting a friend in Barangay Luy-a in Aroroy. The victim was said to be a former New People’s Army rebel.

An investigation into the killings is underway. – Ed Amoroso, Francis Elevado, Celso Amo