Batangas lawyer running for councilor slain

BATANGAS, Philippines — A lawyer running for councilor in Sto. Tomas City in this province was killed in a gun attack yesterday.

Reginald Michael Manito, 42, was shot by two unidentified men who entered his office at around 11:20 a.m., Col. Glicerio Cansilao, Batangas police director, said, citing initial reports.

Manito’s secretary Aira Vargas was unhurt.

The victim was declared dead on arrival at the St. Cabrini Medical Center.

Manito was running under the Nacionalista Party and under the ticket of Vice Mayor Armenius Silva, who is running for mayor.

Meanwhile, two prominent personalities in Samar ordered the killing of Calbayog City mayor Ronaldo Aquino, his son Mark said, citing information from a witness who submitted a written testimony.

“Tinuturo niyang nasa likod ng pag-ambush sa papa ko ay yung dalawang kilalang tao dito sa probinsya namin,” Mark said in an interview over Teleradyo.

He did not reveal the names of those tagged in the ambush even as he noted that the witness is a policeman.

Nine policemen charged in connection with the killing surrendered to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group at Camp Crame on Tuesday.