Ex-village chief in Davao del Sur town slain

DIGOS CITY – The former village chief of Barangay Linawan in Bansalan town, Davao del Sur died on the way to a hospital here after unidentified assailants shot him on Saturday morning.

Police Chief Inspector Grace de Castro, Davao del Sur police spokesperson, said former Barangay Captain Orle Espina was declared dead on arrival at the Medical Center of Digos City, where he was rushed after suffering gunshot wounds.

A still unidentified attacker shot Espina about 8 a.m. in Barangay Dolo in Bansalan. He was first rushed to the town’s Centeno Hospital, where doctors administered initial treatment and referred his case to another hospital in Digos City, about 17 kilometers away.

Police, however, said Espina died around 9:30 a.m while still on the road.

Espina suffered two gunshot wounds on his back that exited on his stomach, the police report said.

Also hit during the shooting was a security guard identified as Joseph Oliver de Ocampo. He is out of danger and had been referred to the Davao del Sur Provincial Hospital in Digos City.

De Castro said police were in the area to gather more information from witnesses.

Police recovered the Black Honda XR150 motorcycle of Espina at the crime scene.

Witnesses heard three gun bursts during the incident.