Leyte environment exec shot dead

TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines — Police still have no leads in the killing of the municipal environment and natural resources officer of Albuera, Leyte on Friday.

Teofilo Granada, 51, had just driven his Toyota Hilux out of his garage when one of the gunmen opened fire.

Granada managed to get out of his vehicle, but another gunman who was waiting several meters away from his house shot him several times.

The assailants fled on a motorcycle.

Five bullet shells for a caliber .45 pistol and note, which warned politicians and government officials against allowing quarrying and illegal cutting of trees, were recovered at the scene.

Probers are looking at the involvement of New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in the killing.

4 slain in Negros

In Negros Oriental, four persons were killed in gun attacks in Bayawan City and Siaton town on Thursday night.

Heide Rio, 60; Richard Villalos, 29, and John Anthony Bormelado, 17, were riding a motorcycle when they were shot in Barangay Banga by unidentified men riding another motorbike, police said, quoting witnesses.

When the victims fell from their motorcycle, two of the gunmen finished them off with more shots. They were pronounced dead on arrival at the Bayawan District Hospital.

Nine bullet shells for a caliber .45 pistol, a bag which contained two cellular phones and P900 in cash were among those recovered at the scene.

On the same day, suspected NPA rebels shot dead Rosalina Elpidal, 49, in Barangay Napacao, Siaton.

Elpidal was riding a motorcycle driven by his son Jetro when they were flagged down by two men and shot her in the head.

The fatality was said to be a military informant.