Ecija ABC head shot dead

CABANATUAN CITY — The president of this city’s Association of Barangay Captains (ABC), who was a staunch ally of the outgoing mayor, was killed by a lone gunman as he stepped out of a cockpit arena here Thursday night.

Superintendent Eliseo Cruz, city police chief, said Augusto Santiago, 52, chairman of Barangay Sangitam and an ex-officio member of the city council, died on the spot from a single bullet wound in the nape.

Santiago’s killing came shortly after a civilian security aide of Gapan City councilor Elpidio Rueda, Henry Manangguit, was killed in an ambush Wednesday. Though wounded, Rueda has been declared out of danger.

Third district Rep. Aurelio Umali, condemned the killing of Santiago. "The people of Nueva Ecija know why these things do happen in our province. Takot lang silang magsalita (They are just afraid to speak out)," he said in a text message to The STAR.

Last year, Umali, provincial chairman of the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats, also bewailed what he described as the "reign of terror" in the province, referring to the killings of political leaders.

Cruz said Santiago had just emerged from a derby at the Necosip cockpit arena along the Maharlika Highway in Barangay Daang Sarile at about 11:30 p.m. Thursday when the gunman appeared from behind and fired at him.

The cockpit arena is owned and operated by the family of three-term Gov. Tomas Joson III.

The gunman, clad in a green T-shirt, casually walked away after the incident, police said.

PO2 Walter Pineda, officer-on-case, said Santiago was accompanied by a fellow barangay chairman, Ernesto Ferrer of Barangay Nabao, who was walking a few steps ahead, when he was attacked.

Police said Santiago’s attacker was apparently a professional hit man, with just a single bullet felling the barangay chairman.

Cruz said they have yet to establish the motive behind the killing of Santiago, who had won six consecutive derbies in the cockpit arena.

Police found an empty caliber .45 shell at the crime scene. A caliber .380 Pietro Berreta was found in Santiago’s possession.