Brgy chief survives slay try; PRO-8 orders probe

CEBU, Philippines - PRO-8 acting Regional Director, Chief Superintendent Elmer Beltejar, ordered an investigation into the shooting and wounding a village chief of Baay in Sta. Margarita town of Samar.

The victim, identified as Enrique Manas, 46, is a second-termer barangay captain, and according to case investigator, Police Officer 2 Genaro Merito, the victim sustained two gunshot wounds in the left side of the neck, but survived and was treated at an undisclosed hospital in Tacloban City.

Merito added that Manas has yet to reveal the names of the assailants, while waiting for the advice of his lawyer. He said he could identify the perpetrators.

Initial investigations revealed that Manas was driving his motorcycle but, upon reaching Barangay Burabod also in Sta. Margarita, riding-in tandem men suddenly cut him off at fired their guns at him twice, wounding him as a result. The attackers quickly sped off after that.

Merito however clarified that the police were eyeing on the possibility that the attempted killing had something to do with politics, unless proven otherwise.

The barangay election is coming and perpetrators may have some axe to grind against him and stop him from running again for the post.

Police records showed that Manas was the 11th barangay official to be the victim of shooting incidents, while 15 others were shot dead since 2013, all due to politics.—(FREEMAN)