Navy man gunned down in Albay

LEGAZPI CITY — A Philippine Navy man was shot and killed by a suspected member of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Pio Duran town in Albay province on Friday afternoon.

Chief Inspector Maria Luisa Calubaquib, Bicol police spokesperson, said Senior Chief Petty Officer Jesus Zaavedra, 55, was on his way home to Barangay (village) Caratagan when an unidentified man shot him in Barangay Binodegahan at 4:10 p.m.

The victim died instantly while the suspect fled after the shooting, Calubaquib said.

Ensign Estela Jane Sasil, Naval Forces in Southern Luzon spokesperson, said the victim was assigned at the Naval base in this city.

Sasil said the victim, who was set to retire next year, received death threats before the incident as he was active in civil-military operations in Albay.

Quoting an intelligence report, Sasil said the victims’ name was in the communist rebel hit list.