1 KILLED, 4 WOUNDED: Shooting mars Batangas bet's miting de avance

Batangas , Philippines  – A close-in bodyguard of the mayor of Calatagan town was killed while four others, including three children, were wounded when unidentified men fired shots in the middle of a miting de avance (political rally) last Saturday night, police said.

Senior Superintendent Alberto Supapo, Batangas police director, identified the fatality as Valentino Taguibao, 43, a bodyguard of Calatagan Mayor Sophia Palacio, and those wounded as Ernesto de los Reyes, 59, a campaign manager of Palacio; and three children who were hit by stray bullets – Adrian Custodio, 10; Nean Basit, eight; and Princess Custodio, 12.

Police said Palacio’s group was conducting a miting de avance in a basketball court in Barangay Balibago when the attackers fired at Taguibao with caliber .45 pistols at around 9 p.m.

Taguibao was hit in the nape and died on the spot. Police recovered four empty shells and two slugs of caliber .45 at the crime scene.

Those wounded were rushed to the Madonna Hospital in Balayan town.

Supapo has ordered a follow-up investigation to identify and arrest the gunmen.   – With Ed Amoroso