Village leader yields after killing village councilman

PAGADIAN CITY–A purok leader surrendered to authorities in Guipos town, Zamboanga del Sur province after shooting to death a village councilman on Tuesday evening, the police said Wednesday.

Chief Inspector Simplicio Pasaol Jr., Guipos police chief, said Jerson Reyes, 33, also turned over an improvised 12-gauge shotgun, which he reportedly used in killing Mario Bustamante, a village councilor of Barangay Sikatuna in Guipos around 9 p.m.

Pasaol said Bustamante was passing by Reyes’ house in Barangay Sikatuna when shot. He died from multiple pellet wounds.

The motive, he said, was personal grudge but did not elaborate.

In Tabina town, Barangay Tanod Alfredo Cañete Baguio, 62, also surrendered to village officials of Doña Josefina after shooting and wounding 48-year-old Remehio Oyoa.

Police Officer 2 Juncres Ligutom, the investigator on case, said Baguio claimed he responded to the call for help of Oyoa’s wife.

Ligutom said Oyoa was trying to attack the woman using a scythe.

He said the village watchman tried to pacify Oyoa but the latter tried to attack him instead.

Oyoa was hit on the leg and was now being treated at a hospital.

Baguio remained under police custody, along with the .38 caliber revolver he used in shooting Oyoa.