Suspected hitman shot dead during attack on forest ranger

SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur, Philippines – A suspected hitman was gunned down by an unidentified assailant while allegedly trying to kill a forest ranger here on Thursday morning.

Police identified the fatality as Silverio Alberca, a casual worker of the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office. He was riding in tandem with another suspected hitman and were actually in pursuit of Bonifacio Narca, leader of a watershed monitoring team of the San Francisco Water District, along a busy street when shot dead by the unknown killer.

Police said Narca had just driven his daughter to school on board his motorcycle when spotted by Alberca and his companion. Narca, apparently sensing danger, sped off but was pursued by the suspects who also fired at him several times.

Police recovered a .45 caliber pistol from the crime scene.

Alberca’s companion managed to escape, investigators said.

Police said the killing could have stemmed from illegal logging activities going on in the area.