P’sinan town council bet gunned down

SUAL, Pangasinan — Three ski mask-wearing men gunned down a barangay chairman who was running for councilor here, in front of his house last Monday afternoon, police said.

Alberto Reynaldo, son of the victim, Berting Reynaldo, 52, the longest-serving chairman of Barangay Baybay Norte, told dzSD Super Radyo that at least seven men alighted from a Kia van and asked him about his father.

Although the men were wearing ski masks and holding firearms, Alberto said he did not suspect that they would harm his father since he knew that he had no known enemies. Alberto went inside their house and woke up his father.

Senior Inspector Roberto Manuel, Sual police chief, said their investigation showed that the elder Reynaldo talked to three of the armed men, after which an argument ensued, leading to the shooting.

Reynaldo sustained 16 gunshot wounds. Police found 23 shells of M-14, M-16 and Carbine rifles at the scene.

Manuel said Reynaldo was with his wife, Praxedes, when the gunmen approached him.

First district Rep. Arthur Celeste, who is seeking re-election under the banner of Lakas-CMD (Christian-Muslim Democrats), believes that Reynaldo’s killing was politically motivated.

"It is unfortunate that just because of politics, some people are sacrificed," he said. "I am sure this is all politics."

Celeste is running against Sual Mayor Luis Agbayani, elder brother of re-electionist Gov. Victor Agbayani.

The Agbayanis’ youngest sister, singer Viktoria, is seeking the Sual mayorship under Kampi, pitted against John Arcinue of Lakas-CMD to which Reynaldo also belonged. — With Cesar Ramirez