Former village captain shot dead in Iloilo

ILOILO CITY, Philippines—A former village chief was gunned down near his house in Mandurriao district, Iloilo City on Tuesday night, the police said.

Senior Superintendent Marietto Valerio, Iloilo City police director, said former barangay (village) captain Joel Pinas was heading home on his pedicab at around 6:45 p.m. when was repeatedly shot by an unidentified assailant some 500 meters from his residence in Barangay Dungon C.

Pinas died from multiple gunshot wounds in the neck and chest, Valerio said.

The gunman was seen by witnesses waiting for the victim then fled on a motorcycle driven by an accomplice after the shooting.

Investigators found four empty shells and a slug of a .45 cal. pistol at the crime scene.

Valerio said they were looking into politics and personal grudges as among the motives behind the attack. Police were conducting follow-up operations to track down the assassin, he added.