Nueva Ecija village chief shot dead

CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga , Philippines — A barangay captain was gunned down in Jaen, Nueva Ecija yesterday.

Reports reaching the office of Central Luzon police director Brig. Gen. Mathew Baccay identified the fatality as Zoilo de Belen, 56, of Barangay Lambakin.

The victim was watering plants at the boundary of the village when unidentified men in a black Toyota Vios opened fire. De Belen died at the scene.

Maj. Baltazar Copuz, Jaen police chief, said the village chief wanted to grow flowers in the area, which is a favorite spot of bikers.