Village watchman slain while attending novena in Bohol

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TAGBILARAN CITY––A village watchman was shot dead Sunday by an unknown assailant while attending a novena in a chapel in Clarin town.

Antonio Salpocial, 53, of Barangay Cabog in Clarin, suffered seven gunshot wounds in the different parts of his body.

The initial investigation showed that the victim was attending a novena for an upcoming fiesta when the gunman suddenly shot him multiple times.

The gunman then boarded a motorcycle driven by another person and fled.

Vice Mayor Allen Ray Piezas, a mayoral candidate of Team Padayon-Clarin, said the victim was supporting his team.

“Antonio was a close friend of mine, a kind father, and a true defender of our cause at Team Padayon Clarin. His being a barangay tanod is noble because of his sincerity in maintaining order and peace,” Piezas said in a statement Monday.

“I appeal to law enforcement officers to investigate the killing immediately so that the perpetrators would be arrested and punished appropriately. I will give my full trust and support to the police for its resolution. I also asked those who witnessed or perhaps those with information regarding the shooting to cooperate with the police investigation.

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