Bodyguard of candidate gunned down in Mindoro

CITY OF CALAPAN, ORIENTAL MINDORO, Philippines — A bodyguard of a candidate for vice mayor in Victoria town in Oriental Mindoro province was shot dead by six unidentified gunmen on Saturday morning.

Lt. Col. Socrates Faltado, information officer of the Mimaropa Police Regional Office, identified the victim as Benjamin Algeria, 38-year-old personal bodyguard of Marlo Nuarin, candidate for vice mayor in Victoria.

Algeria was aboard a Toyota Fortuner traveling in Barangay Villa Cerveza with three companions, identified as Rufino Valenzuela, Allan Mesana, and a certain Edwin.

At around, 10:15 a.m., their vehicle was blocked by a white Toyota van and a purple Ford Everest that the six unidentified men were riding.

The men alighted and shot Algeria twice, killing him instantly.

His companions were ordered to undress and leave.

The assailants then escaped towards Barangay Alcate.

(Editor: Alexander T. Magno)