BAGUIO CITY , Philippines – A municipal council seat aspirant was killed in an attack by unidentified assailants in Pilar, Abra on Wednesday afternoon.
Melchor Gatmen was on his way home on a motorcycle with his companion when he was killed at around 5:10 p.m. in Barangay Dintan.
Probers said Gatmen died instantly from a gunshot to the chest.
The assailants did not harm Gatmen’s companion.
Police have yet to determine if the killing was politically motivated.
On the same day, a former village chief was wounded in an attack by an unidentified suspect in the province’s capital, Bangued.
Ruben Balubar of Barangay Lubong was taken to a hospital for treatment of a gunshot wound in the leg.
Balubar was on his way home on a motorcycle when he was shot at around 6 p.m. in Barangay Agtangao.
Probers recovered several bullet shells for a .45-caliber pistol at the crime scene.