Northern Samar poll officer gunned down

MANILA, Philippines — A municipal election officer was gunned down in Catarman, Northern Samar on Thursday.

James Maghanoy, 42, was on his motorcycle on his way home when he was shot in Barangay Somoge at around 5 p.m., Eastern Visayas police spokesperson Lt. Col. Maria Bella Rentuaya said.

Police said Maghanoy suffered gunshots to the head and body. The victim was declared dead on arrival at the Northern Samar Provincial Hospital.

Probers have yet to identify the gunman and the motive for the killing.

Maghanoy was assistant election officer of Lope de Vega town for 18 years.

He was appointed acting election officer last April 27 and was supposed to undergo screening for his application as election officer II.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) condemned the killing and called on authorities to speed up their investigation.

“The entire commission calls on authorities to leave no stone unturned in their probe of the murder of Maghanoy and to ensure that those responsible are brought swiftly to justice,” Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said.

Amid concerns over election-related violence, the incident followed the killing of Cagayan de Oro barangay kagawad Sherwin Uy, who was running for mayor. The victim is the eldest son of first district Rep. Rolando Uy.

Councilor Helen Garay of Donsol, Sorsogon, who was running for vice mayor, and two candidates for councilor were also killed last week. – Emmanuel Tupas, Robertzon Ramirez