Anti-illegal logging team leader shot dead

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Philippines – A former village chairman turned leader of an anti-illegal logging task force was shot dead as he was manning a checkpoint in Ilagan City, Isabela late last week, police reported on Saturday.

Alfredo Ilayat was found with several gunshot wounds in the body several meters away from the checkpoint, said city police chief Superintendent Vicente Valdez.

Investigators recovered the victim’s 12-gauge shotgun beside him.

Ilayat, a former head of Barangay Cabisera in Ilagan City, was a leader of an anti-illegal logging task force created by Isabela Gov. Faustino Dy III.

Valdez said Ilayat was alone at the checkpoint in Barangay Villa Imelda as his companions were conducting an operation at a nearby village when the attack occurred.

The victim’s family expressed the belief the killing was work-related.