Samar mayor condemns killing of 2 village chiefs

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 4, 2021): Samar mayor condemns killing of 2 village chiefs (By Sarwell Meniano)

ROADSIDE KILLING. A police investigator examines the body of two village chiefs in Tarangnan, Samar shot by motorcycle-riding gunmen on Wednesday (March 3, 2021). The local government of Tarangnan, Samar has strongly condemned the killing. (Photo courtesy of Rene Castino)

The local government of Tarangnan, Samar has strongly condemned the killing of two village chiefs in their town on Wednesday.

Mayor Arnel Tan asked the local police to hunt the killers of Bonifacio Babon and Amelita Helbolario, chairmen of Barangay Marabut and Barangay Awang, respectively. Also killed in the attack is Elpidio Babon, Jr., a motorcycle driver.

"We are deeply saddened and strongly condemn the brutal shooting of our two local officials and their driver that occurred in Tarangnan-Balugo Road on Wednesday morning,” Tan said in a statement issued late Wednesday night.

Babon and Helbolario were riding a single motorcycle to join the municipal peace and order council meeting at the town hall when motorcycle-riding men attacked them around 8:40 a.m. on Wednesday.

The two victims suffered multiple gunshot wounds, according to the police.

Babon and the driver died on the spot while Helbolario was declared dead on arrival at the Samar Provincial Hospital in Catbalogan City.

The identities of the gunmen are still unknown.

“I urge our residents to be vigilant and report to the police if they see suspicious-looking people in their communities to avoid incidents like these,” Tan added.

Tarangnan is a coastal town in Samar province with a population of 25,000.

The town is 129 kilometers north of Tacloban City, the regional capital of the Eastern Visayas region.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1132506