Ex-barangay chief shot dead in Las Piñas

MANILA, Philippines - A former barangay chairman was shot dead in Las Pinas City Saturday afternoon.

Witnesses said Ramon Ignacio, 52, was on Zapote Plaza street when a man grabbed his shirt from behind and shot him in the head and body with a .45 caliber handgun, said Superintendent Jenny Tecson, Southern Police District spokesperson. The victim was a village chief of Zapote 3 in Bacoor, Cavite.

Ignacio’s widow, Imelda, said the face of her husband’s killer was covered with a red scarf. She described the gunman as around 40 to 45 years old, about 5’8” tall, and wearing an orange shirt, denim jeans and a pair of slippers.

According to Tecson, the assailant fled on foot after shooting Ignacio.

City police chief Senior Superintendent Romula Sapitula told The STAR that the motive has yet to be established.

He added that probers are still checking if Ignacio had received death threats prior to the attack.