Northern Samar village chief slain

CATARMAN, Northern Samar — A barangay chairman of a remote village in Las Navas town in Northern Samar was shot dead by one of the two men riding a motorcycle on Thursday.

Apolinario Lebico, 63, the village chief of San Miguel in Las Navas, died on the spot after he was shot in the head about 4:30 p.m. at the boundary between Barangays Quirino and San Jorge in Las Navas.

Police Lt. Col. Rafael Tayaban, Northern Samar provincial police community relations officer, said the victim was aboard a motorcycle driven by his son-in-law, Jeremy Capoquian on their way home.

Upon reaching the boundary between Barangays Quirino and San Jorge, two men on board a motorcycle drove behind them, said Tayaban.

The passenger of the motorcycle then shot Lebico several times with a 9-mm caliber pistol before speeding toward Barangay Quezon.

Lebico was hit in the head while Capoquian suffered a minor wound in the right hand.

Philippine Army 20th Battalion members responded to the incident and brought the victims to the Catubig District Hospital.