UNA leader in Zambo Norte gunned down

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – A former village chief and local leader of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) was gunned down while his companion was seriously wounded in Katipunan, Zamboanga del Norte last Sunday, police said.

The victim, Benjamin Ampal, 41, former chairman of Barangay Carupay in Katipunan town, and his companion, Perlito Escuadro, a casual employee of the provincial government, were on their way home when motorcycle-riding men fired at them in front of the cockpit arena along the national highway in Barangay Tuburan, said Chief Inspector Ariel Huesca, spokesman of the Region 9 police.

Ampal died on the spot with six gunshot wounds. Escuadro was hit in the upper back and was rushed to the Zanorte Medical Center.

Responding policemen found at least seven empty shells and a deformed slug from a .45-caliber at the crime scene.

Probers were looking at politics as possible motive, although they are not ruling out personal grudge in the killing. 

Huesca said police units in Zamboanga del Norte have been alerted on politics-related violence, as the start of the campaign period for local candidates is nearing.