Village councilman robbed, shot while drinking on street

MANILA, Philippines - A barangay councilman who was reportedly part of a roadside drinking session was shot by at least four armed men during a heist in Caloocan City Saturday night.

Chief Inspector Rodrigo Soriano, Caloocan City police chief investigator, said Barangay 18 councilman Michael Pangilinan sustained a gunshot wound in the right shoulder and was still confined yesterday at the Manila Central University (MCU) hospital.

Soriano said the victim was outside his house on Tamban street drinking with his friends when armed robbers approached them at about 11 p.m.

As one of the robbers grabbed Pangilinan’s necklace worth around P50,000, the victim ran toward his house but was fired upon by the robbers.

“Kagawad was hit in the right shoulder and a bullet also grazed his head,” Louie Cabreira, Barangay 18 executive officer, told The STAR.

During the commotion, Pangilinan’s drinking companion, Bong Ycasas, was also shot in the left leg.

Village watchman Rudy Lopez said they recovered two shells for a .45 caliber handgun at the crime scene.

Alex Diaz, another village councilman, said two more men on two motorcycles were seen waiting for the armed robbers.

The Caloocan City government announced last week that it would strictly implement a local ordinance prohibiting drinking on the streets.

Mayor Enrico Echiverri directed village officials and the police to arrest and penalize violators claiming that “street violence and street crimes, which more often than not involved street drinkers.”