Masbate town employee gunned down

NAGA CITY—A municipal employee was shot dead while his companion was wounded by three unidentified gunmen in Esperanza, Masbate, on Friday afternoon in what could be the first election-related killing in the province, said the provincial police chief on Monday.

Senior Supt. Heriberto Olitoquit, Masbate police director, said Jesus Baguio, 59, was aboard a motorcycle with back-rider Manuel Placencia when ambushed by the gunmen, who were also riding a motorcycle, along Barangay Tunga at around 5:30 p.m.

Dead on the spot

Baguio was dead on the spot due to bullet wounds on his head and body, while Placencia suffered two bullet wounds on his hip and foot and was rushed to Cataingan District Hospital in Cataingan town, 40 kilometers away, for treatment, Olitoquit said.

The gunmen fled after the incident.

Baguio was a supporter of Esperanza Mayor Mac John Seachon, who is running for representative of the third district of Masbate against his first cousin Scott Davies, who is the son of reelectionist Gov. Rizalina Seachon-Lanete.