NAGA CITY, Philippines—Two barangay or municipal district officials and a companion traveling with them were shot dead while a fourth man on the same motorcycle escaped unscathed from the ambush early Tuesday evening in the town of Uson in Masbate, a police official said Wednesday.
Senior Superintendent Heriberto Olitoquit, Masbate police director, said Eddie Crisostomo, Barangay Nabuhay chairman was traveling on the motorcycle with barangay treasurer Noel Rosal and companion Jolec Rivera when they were attacked by heavily armed men at around 6 p.m.
The three died on the spot from multiple gunshot wounds, said Olitoquit.
“A fourth co-passenger on the motorcycle, who was identified as Renante Selosa, managed to flee the ambush site,” added Olitoquit.
The victims were headed toward Barangay San Isidro, another Uson district, when the gunmen fired on them. A hunt has been launched for the killers.
Olitoquit said the police were eyeing politics as a possible motive for the killings.
Uson town, one of the poorest towns in Masbate, is located 23 kilometers away from Masbate City, the provincial capital.