Councilman gunned down in QC

MANILA, Philippines - A barangay councilman was shot dead near Sto. Domingo Church in Quezon City before noon yesterday, a month before to the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections in October.

Ramon Igarta, 54, a kagawad of Barangay Sto. Domingo, died after sustaining gunshot wounds in the head and body, said Quezon City Police District (QCPD) Station 1 chief Superintendent Osmundo de Guzman.

According to initial reports from the QCPD Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit, the attack happened at around 11:30 a.m. at the corner of Biak-na-Bato and P. Florentino streets.

Investigators said an unidentified man approached Igarta and started shooting him as the victim got off a motorcycle driven by his son-in-law, who escaped unharmed.

Investigators recovered three caliber .45 pistol bullet casings near the victim’s body.

Igarta’s widow, Norma, told police that the victim earlier received death threats. Investigators are looking into politics and personal grudge as possible motives for the crime.