Guihulngan village chief shot dead

CEBU, Philippines - The Guihulngan City police are digging deeper into the motive of the fatal shooting of Hinacpan village Chief Lieudegario Gargoles Binera, 40, who was gunned down along the highway in Barangay Tinayunan.

OIC Chief of Police Senior Inspector ElpidioTago-an Jr. said several angles are being looked into, including personal grudge. He did not discount the possibility that the barangay captain was killed by people from "the other side."

Also wounded during the shooting were Alan de Asis, 43, married, who was hit in the leg, and AngelitoVillarmente, 49, married, who was hit in the left shoulder. Both are residents of Tinayunan.

Initial investigation disclosed that the village chief was drinking coffee with de Asis and Villarmente when a lone gunman arrived on foot, then shot the victim with the use of cal. 45 pistol. 

Eyewitnesses overheard the gunman, who did not even cover his face, saying "kadtong walay labot hapa (those not involved, duck)."

After the shooting, the gunman boarded a scooter motorcycle, which was parked at a distance, and he fled to an unknown direction.

Tago-an said the gunman was not familiar with residents nearby.

Recovered from the crime scene included six spent shells of cal. 45 pistol.

Tago-an was designated as OIC chief of police of Guihulngan two weeks ago. Reports showed no other police officer would like to be assigned in the city, especially after the treacherous killing of six policemen in an ambuscade last month by suspected communist rebels. (FREEMAN)