Village councilor shot dead in Camarines Norte

MANILA, Philippines — A barangay (village) kagawad (councilor) was shot dead by two unidentified gunmen while she was on her way home in Barangay Batobalani in Paracale, Camarines Norte on Monday.

Police said victim Lope Elnar, 61, was on board a tricycle going home when the suspects suddenly appeared from the roadside and opened fire with still unknown type of guns.

Elnar was rushed to the Labo District Hospital but was declared dead on arrival after sustaining multiple gunshot wounds, a report from the Bicol Region police said.

The suspects meanwhile fled the crime scene following the shooting, police said.

Investigators have yet to establish the motive behind the killing.

Follow-up operations have been launched by the Bicol police for the arrest of the gunmen. /muf