Another LP backer gunned down in Laguna

CAMP PACIANO RIZAL, Laguna, Philippines—A supporter of  another Liberal Party candidate for mayor in Laguna was gunned down early Saturday.

Roderick Manlapaz, 37, a known supporter of LP mayoral candidate Nila Aguillo in the town of Cabuyao, was shot dead by a  lone gunman on a motorcycle around 7:30 a.m. in Barangay  Niugan, according to Cabuyao City police chief Superintendent Leo Luna.

On Thursday, two supporters of an LP candidate for mayor in San Pablo City were also shot. Ronald Akbang and Rardine Mercado, supporters of candidate Hizon Arago, were shot in separate attacks two hours apart. Mercado survived the attack but Akbang died in hospital.

Manlapaz, a softdrinks dealer, had just delivered softdrinks and was at the  driver’s seat of the delivery truck when the gunman shot him, Luna said in a phone interview.

One of Manlapaz’s  helpers, who was returning to the truck, witnessed the attack and tried to catch the gunman by throwing a rock at him.

Luna said this threw the gunman off balance and he dropped his gun as he escaped.

Luna said the gun was now being examined.