Chief of village watchmen shot dead in Batangas

LUCENA CITY—A leader of village watchmen (barangay tanod) in Tanauan City, Batangas province, was shot dead Wednesday, July 7.

The Tanauan City police reported that Gregorio Atienza, 57, chief of the watchmen in Barangay Altura South, was driving a tricycle when stopped by two males armed with caliber .45 handguns.

Sensing a threat to his life, Atienza ran away but was chased and repeatedly shot by the still-unidentified killers.

The victim died on the spot.

The assailants escaped aboard a white scooter.

Case investigator Staff Master Sergeant Rhaldie Manzanilla said in a phone interview Thursday that their investigation led to “personal grudge” as a possible motive behind the killing.

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