Abra town pol candidate shot dead

BAGUIO CITY , Philippines –  A municipal council seat aspirant was killed in an attack by unidentified assailants in Pilar, Abra on Wednesday afternoon.

Melchor Gatmen was on his way home on a motorcycle with his companion when he was killed at around 5:10 p.m. in Barangay Dintan.

Probers said Gatmen died instantly from a gunshot to the chest.

The assailants did not harm Gatmen’s companion.

Police have yet to determine if the killing was politically motivated.

On the same day, a former village chief was wounded in an attack by an unidentified suspect in the province’s capital, Bangued.

Ruben Balubar of Barangay Lubong was taken to a hospital for treatment of a gunshot wound in the leg.

Balubar was on his way home on a motorcycle when he was shot at around 6 p.m. in Barangay Agtangao.

Probers recovered several bullet shells for a .45-caliber pistol at the crime scene.