Batangas barangay head shot dead

MANILA, Philippines – Three gunmen riding on two motorcycles shot dead a barangay chairman yesterday, minutes after he had attended a meeting at the Tanauan City Hall in Batangas.

Chief Superintendent Perfecto Palad, Calabarzon police director, said a surveillance camera of an establishment caught the killing of Rolie Vivas, chairman of Barangay Natataas, Tanauan City.

“However, they were wearing helmets, making it hard for our local police to identify them,” said Palad, adding that a police artist is now preparing sketches of Vivas’ killers based on the witnesses’ descriptions.

Palad said Vivas had received death threats prior to his killing. “We are pursuing a love angle,” he said, but refused to elaborate. – Non Alquitran, Arnell Ozaeta, Ed Amoroso and Jaime Laude