Newly elected village chief gunned down

PAGSANJAN, Laguna, Philippines – A newly elected village chief in last year’s barangay election was gunned down by unidentified armed men along the National Highway in Barangay Biñan, here, authorities said yesterday.

Senior Inspector Luis Perez, Pagsanjan police town chief, said the victim, Madia-as Arevalo Mendez, 69, chairman of Barangay Biñan, died from nine bullet wounds on different parts of the body while being treated at the Laguna Doctors Hospital in Sta. Cruz, Laguna.

Perez said witnesses described one of Mendez’s gunmen as of legal age, wearing a white bull cap and white t-shirt, of medium built, more or less 5’5” tall, with mustache, while the motorcycle driver was only described as a little short.

He said Mendez and his barangay tanod chief, a certain Bonifacio Gabot, had just came from a community service and on their way to a nearby store to conduct an inquiry on simple theft incidents when he was attacked by two armed men riding in tandem at around 10 p.m. Saturday.

After the shooting, the suspects fled heading towards Barangay Pagsawitan, Sta. Cruz, Laguna, while the victim was rushed by Gabot and bystanders to the hospital. Police recovered from the crime scene seven empty shells of a .45 caliber pistol.

Senior Superintendent Gilbert Cruz, Laguna provincial director, said he created Task Group Mendez to identify and apprehend the assailants and determine the motive behind the killing of Mendez.

The task group investigator said they are now validating information that the slain chairman had a long time affair with a married woman until his death. The woman lived in Barangay Suba, Majayjay, Laguna.

Probers said they are eyeing the involvement of the woman’s husband to the killing which they believed had a strong antagonistic attitude toward the victim. Probers said they are also investigating if the killing is politically motivated.

Cruz said the task group released yesterday the artist’s sketch of one of Mendez’s killers.