Masbate town council member shot dead

MANILA, Philippines - An unidentified gunman shot dead a member of the Sangguniang Bayan in Masbate and wounded another on Sunday afternoon, police said.

Police said the gunman shot and killed Ladislao Macuha, 66, a councilor of Balud town in Masbate.

Macuha, a resident of Barangay Guinbanwahan, Balud, was gunned down at around 3:30 p.m. at Sitio Tambobo, Brgy. San Andres, Balud, Masbate.

Wounded during the incident was Florido Villalobos, 50, who was hit by a stray bullet.

Villalobos was initially brought to the Balud Municipal Hospital, but was later transferred to Masbate Doctors Hospital for further medical treatment.

The police are looking at local politics as the possible motive behind the killing.