Ex-PCA chief’s kin slain

SARIAYA, Quezon, Philippines —The youngest brother of former Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) administrator Avelino Andal was shot dead by unidentified assailants in this town on Sunday night.

Mario Andal was on a motorcycle on his way home in Barangay Concepcion Palasan when he was killed at around 7:30 p.m., according to Sariaya police chief Lt. Col. Reynaldo Reyes.

The victim died at the scene from a gunshot to the head.

Meanwhile, two alleged members of a private armed group were killed while 19 persons were arrested following a shootout in Antipolo City on Sunday.

The identities of the fatalities were not immediately available, police said, adding that among those arrested were S/Sgts. Ronald Antonio Abbariao and Henry Balmaceda.

The alleged shootout occurred at around 2 p.m. after police officers responded to a distress call by a security guard in Barangay Cupang.

The guard told police a group of armed men wanted to take over a property owned by a mining firm.