Zamboanga City village councilor shot dead

ZAMBOANGA CITY – A newly elected council member of Santa Catalina village in this city was shot dead near his house at Betty 2 Store around 7:30 a.m.

Police Chief Inspector Shelamae Tubo-Chang, spokesperson of the Zamboanga City Police Office said Michael Magallanes, 38, was on his way to the barangay feeding program when shot.

”He was brought to a hospital but was declared dead on arrival,” Tubo-Chang said.

Magallanes served as barangay treasurer in 2013 and during and after the siege in Zamboanga, “was one of the most dependable staff we had, he worked hard for everyone,” according to City Councilor Jimmy Villaflores, who said he was shocked to hear about the death of his friend. “That man is clean, has no records or whatsoever, a good person.”

Villaflores said Magallanes was the only Rotary President in the West District that hailed from a poor family, “but despite his economic standing in the community and in the organization, his leadership brought more projects.”

Magallanes runs a small variety store and internet cafe to sustain his family with three children.