Lanao election officer killed

MANILA, Philippines — The election officer of Nunungan town in Lanao del Norte was ambushed and killed yesterday afternoon, the National Bureau of Investigation's (NBI) Iligan District Office reported.

According to the NBI, election officer Mark Orlando Vallecer II was traveling toward Lala town when two unidentified men on a motorcycle intercepted his vehicle in Barangay Curva Miagao in Salvador town, also in Lanao del Norte, at around 2:10 p.m.

The assassins allegedly shot Vallecer several times before speeding away from the scene.

Vallecer was rushed to Bontilao Hospital in Maranding in Lala, but was pronounced dead on arrival by a doctor.

NBI agents said Vallecer had just attended a meeting of the Lanao del Norte election officers at a TESDA school building in Barangay Poblacion in Salvador.

Personnel from the NBI-Iligan are coordinating with the Philippine National Police and Commission on Elections in the investigation to identify the suspects and determine the motive.