Suspected rebs kill Sorsogon candidate

SORSOGON CITY — Suspected communist guerrillas killed a mayoral candidate of the Lakas-NUCD and wounded two of his companions in Sta. Magdalena, Sorsogon last Sunday morning, the regional police said.

Probers said former mayor Felix Frayna was campaigning with his supporters in Barangay San Eugenia at about 8 a.m. when two men shot him.

Wounded were former policeman Ulysses Friles, Frayna’s campaign manager, and a certain Renato Estillada. They were rushed to the Sorsogon Provincial Hospital.

Investigators suspect that the attack had something to do with Frayna’s refusal to pay a "campaign fee" ranging from P150,000 to P200,000, which the New People’s Army (NPA) has set for politicians running for municipal mayor in the region.

In a related development, a candidate for councilor in Ocampo, Camarines Sur was reported to have been abducted by two armed men.

Police said Miguel Butin, a barangay chairman who is seeking a council seat under the People Power Coalition ticket, was forced to board a black Suzuki motorbike which headed toward Barangay Hancusan.

In Palanas town, meanwhile, six armed men wearing ski masks strafed the house of Joseph Avila, head of Barangay Malibas. No one was hurt in the attack.