4 die in shootings
BACOLOD CITY , Philippines — Four persons were killed in separate shooting incidents in Negros Occidental yesterday and Sunday, which were believed to be election-related.
An hour before the voting precincts opened yesterday, two men were gunned down at Brgy. Poblacion in Toboso town, about 113 kilometers north of this city.
The victims were identified as Juan Leonardo Belleza, who died on the spot from multiple gunshot wounds, and Bryan Bacordo, who died at the hospital, according to Supt. Roderick Alba of the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office in a radio interview.
The bodies of the victims were riddled with bullets from various firearms, and they were waylaid by the armed men on board a motorcycle, Alba said quoting Chief Insp. Danilo Zuniega, chief of the Toboso Police.
Initial investigation identified three of the suspects as Casimiro de la Noche, a candidate for barangay chairman, and Gary Enriquez, a candidate for councilman, and a certain Reggie Palarca.
Alba said they are still conducting hot pursuit operations for the suspects who were armed with .45-caliber pistol, a 9 mm gun and an M-16 rifle.
Despite the incident, voting proceeded as usual in Brgy. Poblacion, as well as in the rest of Toboso town's polling precincts, said municipal election officer Regie Rose Ilustre in a radio interview.
In another radio report, also shot dead were Yul Azuelo in Brgy. Daga of Cadiz City yesterday morning, and Felix Sabillo in Brgy. Gawahon of Victorias City Sunday. (FREEMAN)
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