QC barangay chief running for Congress shot dead

MANILA, Philippines — A barangay chairwoman seeking a congressional seat in Quezon City in the coming midterm elections and her driver were killed in an ambush by motorcycle-riding assailants Wednesday.

Crisell Belmi Beltran, chief of Barangay Bagong Silangan, was rushed to the Far Eastern University Hospital where she was pronounced dead from multiple gunshots to the body.

Beltran’s driver, Melchor Salita, was declared dead on arrival at the Malvar General Hospital.

Four other companions, including three minors, were wounded in the attack, which occurred at around 11:30 a.m., according to Chief Superintendent Joselito Esquivel Jr., director of the Quezon City Police District.

Esquivel formed a special investigation task group headed by QCPD Deputy District Director for Operations Senior Superintendent Erson Digal to probe the ambush.

Probers did not discount the possibility that politics could be behind the attack on Beltran.

“We are considering politics as among the motives since Beltran is seeking a Congress seat,” he said.

Beltran was running as a representative of Quezon City’s second district.

P3 million cash reward being eyed

Esquivel appealed to witnesses to come forward and help in the investigation.

In a statement, acting Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte said: “I extend my most heartfelt condolences to her family and loved ones, and I assure them that we will exhaust all means to bring the perpetrators of this shameless crime to justice.”

The mayoralty aspirant also called for a special session of the Quezon City Council tomorrow to appropriate a P3-million cash reward to anyone who would provide information that would lead to the arrest of the perpetrators.

Superintendent Joel Villanueva, Batasan Police Station 6 commander, said Beltran was seated at the front of a Ford Everest and traveling along J.P. Rizal street when four men on two motorcycles appeared in front of her vehicle.

The assailants pulled out their handguns and fired at Beltran's car, which veered of the road before crashing into a house.

“The victims came from the barangay hall and were on their way to another engagement when they were ambushed,” Villanueva said in a phone interview.