LP worker gunned down in Pagadian City

OZAMIZ CITY – A worker of the Liberal Party (LP) in Zamboanga del Sur was shot to death Sunday morning in Pagadian City.

Police said Nelson Escario, married, a resident of Balintawak village, was gunned down around 8:45 a.m. in Purok (area) Tinangkong Uno, not far from his house.

Escario was the driver of Tyrone Singco, formerly chief of staff of former governor Aurora Cerilles. Early this year, Singco led four other former provincial government employees in filing plunder raps against the couple Aurora and Antonio.

Escario was one of the witnesses of the case.

Since turning the tables on the Cerilleses, Singco and Escario have joined the local LP camp.

In a statement, the LP said it believes the killing is mostly likely related to the plunder charges and also their current political fight with the Cerilleses.

Last week, Mary Joy Molina, a sister of one of the complainants of the plunder raps, Ruel Molina, was killed in Kumalarang town. The LP has counted this incident as part of the ongoing harassment against them.

Before the shooting, Escario heard Mass with his family. After getting his family home, Escario left to fetch Singco aboard a motorcycle owned by the Pagadian local government.