North Cotabato village chief, Zamboanga teacher shot dead

MANILA, Philippines — A barangay chairman and a public school teacher were killed in gun attacks in North Cotabato and Zamboanga del Sur, respectively, yesterday.

Alcon Tubasan, 44, chairman of Barangay Tumbras in Midsayap, had just emerged from an eatery with his wife Armia, 39, and 26-year-old Samanodin Inok, a volunteer village watchman, when they were shot.

Tubasan died at the scene while Inok died while being treated in a hospital. Armia was wounded.

The suspects, who were reportedly led by a certain Salabi Mamantal, managed to escape.

Probers are eyeing a clan war as the motive for the killing.

In Zamboanga del Sur, Narcisa Gumibao, 58, was shot by unidentified men who entered her classroom at the Balongating National High School in Purok Bonifacio in Guipos town.

S/Sgt. Mylin Mancia said the assailants, who were wearing masks and jackets, arrived on a motorcycle and asked students on where to find Gumibao.

Mancia said classes have yet to start, but some of students were in the classroom when Gumibao was shot.

In Pangasinan, Pat. Franklyn Aquino was charged yesterday with murder over the killing of M/Sgt. Reynaldo Estareja during a birthday party in Barangay Laguit Padilla in Bugallon on Saturday.

Aquino allegedly shot Estareja following an argument when the victim’s wife refused to dance with him.

On Sunday in Zambales, businessman Allan Dumrang, 52, was gunned down at a market in Iba. – Roel Pareño, Eva Visperas, Ric Sapnu