Ex-Palace exec slain in Mindoro

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna – A former director of the Office of Youth Affairs at Malacañang was gunned down in Victoria, Occidental Mindoro last Wednesday night, authorities said.

The victim, Noel Basco, 34, was sitting in front of his store in Barangay Leido while waiting for a ride going to Calapan City when two men appeared from behind and shot him once in the head with a caliber .45 pistol, said Inspector Anthony Ramos, Victoria police chief.

Witnesses told police that the gunmen fled on foot after killing Basco on the spot.

Police said Basco ran for mayor in Socorro town in 2007 but lost.

Probers were still clueless on the motive behind the killing. – Arnell Ozaeta