New barangay chief, councilman shot dead

In Davao del Norte, Cotabato

MANILA, Philippines — A newly elected village chief in Panabo City in Davao del Norte and a barangay council member in Antipas, Cotabato were killed in gun attacks yesterday.

Paul Albert Saquian of Barangay Datu Abdul Dadia was driving his Nissan Almera when he was shot by motorcycle-riding men.

The victim, who suffered a gunshot wound in the head, was declared dead on arrival at the Rivera Hospital.

Witnesses said Saquian’s car rammed a waiting shed when he lost control of the wheel after he was shot.

In his last post on Facebook, Saquian called for unity among winners and losers in the recently concluded barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections.

In Cotabato, Edmar Perero, who was elected council member in Barangay Dolores in Antipas town, was on his way home in a tricycle when he was attacked.

Although wounded, Perero reportedly tried to escape toward a roadside hill, but he fell into a drainage canal when his attackers fired more shots.

Col. Harold Ramos, Antipas police chief, said local officials were asked to help identify the killers, who managed to escape before responding policemen arrived.

Perero is the second newly elected barangay council member shot dead in Cotabato.

On Nov. 1, Suharto Antilino of Barangay Poblacion in Midsayap was gunned down following an argument with his cousin.

2 barangay captains face vote buying raps

Meanwhile, in Negros Occidental, two newly elected barangay captains are in hot water after formal complaints against them for vote buying were forwarded to the Law Department of the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

Provincial Comelec supervisor Lee Ananoria said the two are from Bago City and San Enrique.

Ananoria urged witnesses of vote buying to come forward and file complaints against those behind the illegal activity. — Diana Lhyd Suelto, Gilbert Bayoran