Zamboanga del Sur vice mayor shoots rival’s supporters; 1 dead

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — A supporter of a mayoral candidate was killed while another was wounded in a gun attack allegedly staged by armed men led by a vice mayor, who is running for mayor of Molave, Zamboanga del Sur, on Thursday, police said. 

The fatality was identified as  Joseph Aljo, 34, a resident  of Ozamis City. Municipal employee Laurencio Canlom Jr. was wounded.

Maj. Helen Galvez, Zamboanga peninsula police spokesperson, said the victims and their companions, all supporters of  mayoral candidate Cyril Reo Glepa, were on two motorcycles when a white van blocked their path in Purok Mangga, Barangay Madasigon opened fire.  

Vice Mayor Rico Amigo reportedly alighted from one of two sport utility vehicles that arrived and hit Aljo with an M14 rifle.

Citing the account of a survivor, Galvez said Amigo shot Aljo several times when the victim tried to run toward a nearby house.

Responding police officers  arrested Junard Barrientos and Jerjun Alforque, who were identified as Amigo’s bodyguards. 

A manhunt for Amigo and his cohorts is ongoing.