Former Isabela village chief shot dead at wake

SAN PABLO, Isabela — A former village chief was shot and killed by an unidentified gunman at a wake on Sunday night (Jan. 29).

Joer-el Panganiban, 53, a widower and former Guminga village chief, was attending the wake of Faustino Maltu when the gunman casually approached him at 8:45 p.m. and shot him at close range, hitting his head and body, police said. He died instantly.

The assailant fled after the shooting.

Police have not yet determined the reason for the attack.  SFM/rga