Ex-village chief slain in ambush

TUGUEGARAO, Philippines — A former barangay chairman was killed in an ambush by unidentified armed men in Roxas, Isabela shortly before midnight on Saturday.

Ben Coloma died while being treated at the Roxas District Hospital, where his companion John Paul Valdez, 20, was also taken for treatment of gunshot wounds.

Coloma and Valdez were in a car when the assailants waylaid them in Barangay San Antonio at around 11:30 p.m., police said.

The victims were on their way to pick up Coloma’s daughter, who was working at the Roxas District Hospital.

Probers recovered several bullet shells for an M16 rifle at the crime scene. 

Coloma was formerly chairman of Barangay Lomboy in nearby Angadanan town. He returned to Roxas last year to campaign for a former congressman.

 Police have yet to determine the motive for the killing.