Ex-vice mayor of Sarangani town slain

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Philippines—A former vice mayor of Massim, Sarangani province was shot dead by a lone assailant near the town hall there around 9 a.m. Thursday, the authorities said.

Sawab Pangolima, 64, died while being rushed to a hospital, according to incumbent Vice Mayor Uttoh Salem Cutan.

He said that based on police investigation, personal grudge was the motive behind the killing of Pangolima, who served as Massim vice mayor from 2007-2011.

“Our initial finding was that the shooting was motivated by a personal grudge. Sort of a family feud,” he said.

Senior Superintendent Florendo Quidilla, Sarangani police chief, said a suspect had been arrested in connection with the killing.

“The suspect was arrested during … pursuit operation. He is now under the custody of the Maasim police,” Quidilla said.

Meanwhile, a civilian agent of the Army’s Joint Task Force Gensan and his female companion were injured during a shooting incident here Wednesday evening.

Police investigators said Angelito Batan, 35, and Sherilyn Cercardo, 37, were on their way home with several others when attacked in Barangay Lagao by two men riding in tandem on a motorbike around 10 p.m.

The injured victims were rushed to private hospitals here for treatment.

The police said the motive and the identity of the perpetrators were still being ascertained.