Brgy chief in Samar shot dead

CEBU, Philippines - A barangay chairman in Calbayog City, Samar was gunned down by motorcycle-riding men on Thursday, police said.

Justiniano Belleza, president of the Association of Barangay Councils in Calbayog, was shot in front of the City Legislative Building at 9:45 a.m., according to ABS-CBNnews.com

Initial investigation showed that Belleza had just left his office and was about to board his car supposedly to eat out with his two bodyguards when three men on board two motorcycles fired shots at them.

Belleza’s bodyguards, identified as Benido Domayan and Francisco Belleza, were wounded in the incident and were rushed to the hospital, while the three assailants, who wore helmets and black jackets, escaped and remained unidentified.

Recovered from the crime scene were 27 bullet slugs from a .45-caliber pistol. Manhunt operations against the suspects are now going on. —(FREEMAN)