Councilman shot dead in Argao

CEBU, Philippines – A barangay councilman in Argao was shot dead Saturday afternoon by two unidentified motorcycle-riding men.

Councilman Victoriano Gomez Jr., 60, of Barangay Sumaguan, Argao was having a drinking session in Barangay Langub when he was shot several times.

Police Officer 3 Benjamin Geyrozaga, desk officer of Argao Police Station, said the unidentified assailants stopped by the waiting shed where the victim and his helper were sitting.

Senior Inspector Alejandro Batobalonos, Argao Police Station chief, said the back rider alighted from the motorcycle and started shooting at the councilman.

The helper who was only identified as certain “Opaw” managed to escape unhurt. Gomez allegedly tried to run but he got tripped by the bench and fell on the ground giving his attacker the opportunity to finish him off.

The police recovered six spent rounds for caliber .45 pistol at the crime scene.

Batobalonos described the manner the crime was executed to be a handiwork of professional killers.

Geyrozaga said the councilman was in Barangay Langub to visit his farm. Police investigators are looking at personal grudge as primary motive in the killing.  Batobalonos said there are at least four people that they consider as persons of interest in the killing of Gomez. The police said the killing of Gomez may have been connected to the 2013 shooting to death of his son in Sibonga.

“Posibling angulo katong anak ani gipusil sa hantakan sa Sibonga, on-going ang kaso nga gi-file sa suspek sa pagpatay sa anak,” Batobalonos said.

“Hilig ni’g sugal (ang konsihal) bisan asa nga barangay hantak ug sabong, posibling naa siyay kabikil. Kaning konsihal mahubog di mag-maoy medyo lain og inistoryahan posibling may napasakitan,” he added.

Batobalonos said that Gomez had been in prison before after he was convicted in the killing of a police officer. —/FPL (FREEMAN)