Barangay head, son-in-law shot dead

MANILA, Philippines - Ski mask-wearing gunmen killed a barangay chairman and his son-in-law and wounded three others during an ambush in a far-flung village in Rodriguez, Rizal yesterday.

Killed were Claudio Lastimada, 56, of Sitio Odiongan, Barangay Macabud, and his son-in-law, Salvador Abarina, 38, a contractor.

Wounded were driver Dandie Sadya, 30; Florence Salvo, 40, and his son, Joseph, 40, all residents of Barangay Macabud.

Police said the victims had come from a cockpit in nearby Barangay San Isidro and were on their way home when the Mitsubishi Adventure they were riding in was peppered with bullets.

Reports said it was Lastimada who reported to the police the burning of a dump truck by armed men in Barangay Macabud last Jan. 3.

A five-man team from the 418th Provincial Mobile Group responded but at least 60 New People’s Army rebels waylaid them, killing one and wounding another.

The rebels took the three other lawmen as hostages and freed them only last Friday. – Non Alquitran