UNA leader gunned down in Zambo Norte

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines  - A former village chairman and local leader of the opposition party United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) was gunned down while his companion was seriously injured Sunday in Katipunan town, Zamboanga del Norte,  a police official said.

Police identified the victim as Benjamin Ampal, 41, married, former chairman of Barangay Carupay in Katipunan town who was head of the UNA party in the village, while wounded victim was identified as Perlito Escuadro of Purok 3 and a casual employee of the provincial government.

Police Chief Inspector Ariel Huesca, spokesman of Police Regional Office 9 (PRO),  said investigation disclosed that the victim and his companion were on their way home when they were shot at by  gunmen riding a motorcycle at about 6:35 p.m.  Sunday in front of the cockpit center along the national highway in Barangay Tuburan.

Katipunan police chief Senior Inspector Rolando Barraquio reported that one of the suspects on board a  blue motorcycle with unidientified plate number alighted near the victims and fired at Ampal several times and once at  Escuadro.

Ampal, who sustained six gunshot wounds from different  parts of his body,  died on the spot while Escuadro, who sustained gunshot wound on his upper back , was rushed to the Zanorte Medical Center.

The suspects immediately escaped on board their motorcycle and fled towards the direction of Dipolog City.

Responding police forces recovered at least seven empty shells and a deformed slug believed fired from .45 caliber pistol of the suspect.

Police investigators are looking into  political motives as reason for the attack as  the victim was allegedly  campaigning for the local UNA bets in the area.

Authorities are also looking into  personal grudges as possible motive of the shooting incident.

Huesca said police have been alerted in the province to be on the lookout as local campaign period is approaching to prevent local political rivalry from turning violent.