Village chief, 2 relatives slain in Pampanga

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO—A village chief in Bacolor town in Pampanga province and his two relatives were shot and killed by four men at the Madapdap resettlement in Mabalacat City on Saturday, police said.

Bacolor Mayor Jomar Hizon on Sunday said the murder of Rodrigo “Toy” Tongol, village chief of Mesalipit, was “senseless.”

Tongol was driving the village’s service vehicle, carrying his uncle, Merlito Pineda, and brother-in-law, Pedro Canlas. At about 7 p.m., past the Madapdap bridge, the vehicle was flanked by two motorcycles, each with two men on board. The gunmen opened fire, killing the three men instantly.

He said Tongol, 51, was planning to run for a third  term in the barangay election on Oct. 28. “[Tongol has] never been linked to illegal drugs or other crimes,” Hizon said.

Senior Superintendent Oscar Albayalde, Pampanga police director, said investigators were looking at political conflict as a possible motive in the attack.

Tongol was the fourth village chief in Pampanga  murdered since August last year.  Tonette Orejas, Inquirer Central Luzon