Basilan village chief shot dead; personal grudge eyed as motive

ISABELA CITY, Philippines — A village chief was shot dead on the island province of Basilan on Friday, the military said.

Reny Lain, 51, village chief of Barangay Baungis in Lantawan town, was shot by motorcycle-riding gunmen at about 10a.m., Army’s 4th Special Forces commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Eliglen Villaflor said.

Initial reports said that Lain was driving a motorcycle when the armed men fired at him.

Villaflor said that the motive behind the killing is believed to be a personal grudge.

The gunmen fled towards Maluso town after the attack.

Recovered from the site of the incident were three empty shells for cal 45 pistol, Villaflor said.

Investigation is ongoing to establish the motive as well as the identities of the suspects.