Village councilman pacifying warring neighbors killed

URBIZTONDO, Pangasinan, Philippines – A village councilman was shot dead while trying to pacify his warring neighbors in Barangay Sawat here last Tuesday afternoon, police said.

The victim, Eduardo Balocating, 39, was shot in the chest with a .45-caliber pistol allegedly by one Ernesto Tapiador, 50.

Balocating was rushed to the Virgen Milagrosa Hospital in San Carlos City but was declared dead on arrival. Tapiador fled after the killing.

Balocating lost in his re-election bid in last Monday’s barangay elections.