Village chief gunned down

SAN RAFAEL, Bulacan , Philippines  – A village chairman here was assassinated at noon yesterday in front of the municipal hall.

The victim was identified as Ernesto Mempin, chairman of Barangay Dagat-Dagatan here.

Witnesses said Mempin had just come out of the town hall where he attended a flag ceremony yesterday morning and was about to join his friends for lunch at La Familia restaurant in nearby Baliuag town.

Mempin crossed te Maharlika Highway where he parked his multi-cab in front of the municipal town hall, and was about to crank his engine when a lone gun man knocked the window on the driver’s side.

The victim opened the window and he was met with a volley of fire from still unknown caliber.

Mempin suffered gunshot wounds on the neck, face and head. He was rushed to the nearby Baliuag District Hospital, but was declared dead on arrival.

Witnesses said the gunman had two companions wearing helmet nearby who served as lookout and driver.

The gunman was allegedly not wearing a helmet as they drove toward Baliuag town.

Police are still investigating the case and trying to figure out the motive for the killing, while Mayor Lorna Silverio expressed shock.

Silverio said that moments before the killing she was talking with Mempin who was a supporters of the Character Municipality campaign she launched last year.