Supporter of ex-priest running for Masbate gov hurt in shooting
NAGA CITY—A supporter of Father Leo Casas, a Catholic priest running for governor in Masbate under the Liberal Party, was shot by two men on Saturday morning in Barangay (village) Katipunan in Placer, Masbate, the top police official in the province said.
Senior Superintendent Heriberto Olitoquit, Masbate police chief, identified the victim as Charles Cortes.
Cortes, according to Olitoquit, was attacked inside his residence at about 6:30 a.m. and sustained gunshot wounds on his back.
He is being rushed to Masbate Provincial Hospital in provincial capital Masbate City, about 70 kilometers to the north, as of posting time.
In a phone interview with the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Casas said Cortes was his campaign coordinator in Placer.
Police operatives are still pursuing the gunmen while an investigation is underway.
