In Samar: Another brgy official slain

CATBALOGAN CITY, SAMAR, Philippines — Four days since an ex-village chief here was killed, another village official was shot dead by still unidentified assailants Thursday evening raising questions among city residents on how safe the city is at the onset of the barangay polls.

The victim was identified by the police as Narciso Lagbo, 45, a councilman of Brgy. Tagbayaon in Jiabong town, about 9 kilometers from this city.

Based on the initial result of police investigation, the victim arrived at 6:20 p.m. at San Roque St. In this city to fetch his wife working at a restaurant in the area. Shortly after, the assailants who were apparently waiting for him across the street approached and shot him on the nape resulting in his instant death.

Based on SOCO report, Lagbo sustained three gunshot wounds: one on his left stomach, one on the lower left portion of his waist and another on his nape.

Witnesses said the gunmen, after the shooting, walked casually away from the crime scene towards the city market.

The police recovered from the scene two empty shells of .45-caliber gun, two empty shells of 9mm pistols and two slugs more from the same handguns.

City Mayor Stephany Uy-Tan in a call made to The Freeman yesterday morning said she immediately called for a meeting of the City Peace and Order Council to address the series of shooting incidents in the city, adding that the LGU has been coordinating with the police to resolve these.

"We already asked for help from the provincial police, and almost every week, I am conducting a meeting with our police to ensure that the needed police visibility in the city streets is addressed," said the mayor.

Uy however said killings may be inevitable, citing the killing of Lagbo and that of former Lagundi Barangay Chairman Felomino Cabarriban last Sunday, because these were carefully planned and executed.

"The deterring factor of our police presence however is not 100 percent assurance that the criminal's intent to kill can be aborted especially if it is well-planned, but yes it makes it hard for these criminals to implement their plan. That's what I am trying to tell to our police to keep their presence solid on city streets," added Uy.

As of press time, police investigation was going on to determine the motive in the killing of Lagbo and identify the perpetrators.  (FREEMAN)