Suspected gang leader, aide slain

LAGUNA, Philippines — An alleged leader of a group engaged in contract killings and his companion were shot dead by four unidentified assailants in Biñan in this province on Sunday.

Lope Espejo, 52, alias Ka Alvin, and his assistant Randy Avila died at the scene from gunshot wounds, according to Lt. Col. Giovanni Martinez, city police chief.

Espejo was allegedly a former New People’s Army guerrilla.

The victims were standing in front of a business establishment in Barangay Canlalay when a car with four men on board pulled over.

The men approached the victims and shot them without provocation, Martinez said.