Another Batangas village chairman killed

By: Julliane Love De Jesus - 10 years ago

MANILA, Philippines—Just weeks after a former barangay (village) chief and his son were shot dead in Calaca municipality, the incumbent chairman was also gunned down in Batangas on Tuesday night.

Barangay Puting Bato West Chairman Bernardo Buño, 57, was shot by a still unidentified assailant while talking to someone on the ‎phone in front of his house in around 8:15 p.m.

Police said the village chief tried to dodge the gunshots and ran toward his house but the gunman followed him inside.

Senior Inspector Jose Naparato Jr., Calaca Municipa‎l Police station chief, said in a text message that Buño was brought to Metro Lemery Medical Center but was declared dead on arrival by the attending doctors.

Naparato said that after firing multiple gunshots against Buño, the attacker sped away using a black rouser motorcycle with no plate number.

Police said the triggerman used a caliber .45 pistol.

‎On May 10, former Barangay Puting Bato West chairman Apolinario Padilla Sr. and his son Apolinario Jr., were also shot dead in front of their house by motorcycle-riding gunmen.

The police said Padilla was not succeeded by Buño as chairman. The two, however, were brothers-in-law.

Investigation is still ongoing.