Barangay chairman shot dead

A barangay chairman was shot dead by three unidentified men near a gasoline station in Sampaloc, Manila on Saturday night, police reported yesterday.

Marcelo Santos, 61, chairman of Barangay 461, Zone 45, District IV in Sampaloc, was cleaning a motorcycle a few meters away from Sea Oil gas station along Lacson street at around 8:30 p.m. when the suspects suddenly appeared and repeatedly shot him.

Santos was rushed to the nearby University of Sto. Tomas Hospital but was declared dead on arrival due to multiple gunshot wounds in the back. It was still unclear if the attack was politically motivated.

A shoe repairman who was with Santos, Rolando Caleon, 56, was also hurt after sustaining a gunshot in the body. He is recuperating in an undisclosed hospital.

Investigators from the Manila Police District’s homicide section said the suspects, one of whom were armed with a handgun, fled aboard a red Honda XRM motorbike.

Senior Police Officer 2 David Tuazon said they are pursuing several angles in determining the motive of the killing. Investigators declined to give details, saying it was too early in the probe.