Revenge eyed in b'gay councilman's murder

MANILA, Philippines - Police investigators are eyeing revenge as the possible motive behind the killing of a barangay councilman in Quiapo, Manila yesterday.

Initial reports said that Amir Casan, of Barangay 348, Zone 39 on Globo de Oro street, was shot by two unidentified assailants at 10:40 a.m. along Bautista street.

Casan suffered three gunshot wounds in the head and died before reaching the UST Hospital.

Probers said the killing of Casan could be in retaliation for the death of barangay chairman Sainan Sharief on June 30.

Sources in the Quiapo Muslim area told The STAR that Casan was tagged as the alleged mastermind in the murder of Sharief.

Sharief, 56, was watching television with his wife when one of two suspects barged into their house and peppered him with bullets.

He succumbed to four gunshot wounds in the head and body.

Sources claimed that Casan lost in successive elections to the Shariefs. Last barangay election, Sharief’s son Abubakar also edged Casan as number one councilor.