Barangay councilman shot dead

A 43-year-old barangay councilman in the southern town of Argao was shot to death a few meters away from his house by a still unidentified assailant Tuesday evening.

SPO1 Jaime Mendoza identified the victim as councilman Buenaventura Lanticse, a resident of sitio Caswad-an, barangay Lapay.  

Initial police investigation showed that Lanticse went out of his house about 9 p.m. and was then shot by the gunman twice.

Although the first gunshot did not hit Lanticse, the second gunshot hit the victim in the chest, sending him to the ground as the gunman quickly fled.

Lanticse was rushed to the Isidro Kintanar Memorial District Hospital where he was declared dead on arrival.

According to police investigators, they have no information yet on the firearm used in the shooting.

Cebu Provincial Police Office director Senior Supt. Carmelo Valmoria said the councilman never reported any threat to his life nor have any political enemies.

Lanticse ran as independent in the last barangay election.

“We have no suspect yet. We believe that the killing is not (motivated by) politics but we are looking at all possible angles,” Valmoria said, adding that the Argao Police Station is still investigating the case.

According to Mendoza, they are pursuing the business angle as possible motive of the killing of Lanticse, who is reportedly engaged in selling copra.

“Nagtuo man g’yud ang sakop sa pamilya nga wala’y kalambigitan sa politika ang kamatayon sa konsehal kay giila man kini nga maayong tawo ug matinabangon,” Mendoza said.  — Garry B. Lao/LPM