Councilor, companion hurt in Albay shooting

LEGAZPI CITY — A municipal councilor and president of the Association of Barangay Captains (ABC) in Oas town in Albay and his companion were hurt after being shot by still unidentified gunmen on Thursday,  police said.

Oas is a first class town in Albay, some 50 kilometers from this city

Albay Police spokesperson Chief Inspector Emmanuel Ramos said John Greg Ricarte, Oas ABC president, and John Rey Retuerma were drinking at Ricarte’s house when the gunmen appeared and opened fire at about 12:30 a.m.

Ramos said the victims were rushed to a nearby hospital for emergency treatment.

Although probers are still looking at the motive behind the attack, they said politics could be behind it.

Police said the victims are related to influential and political leaders in Oas with Ricarte being the son of former Oas mayor Greg Ricarte.     /muf