Panlilio supporter shot dead

CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga — A barangay chairman supporting Pampanga Governor-elect Ed Panlilio was shot dead in front of his house in Guagua, Pampanga yesterday.

In Porac town, another barangay chairman backing Gov. Mark Lapid survived an attempt to kill him while on his way home aboard a tricycle with his wife and sister-in-law.

Barangay Betis chairman Mario Nulud was sitting in front of his house in Sitio San Juan when two gunmen on a motorcycle shot him several times, according to Senior Superintendent Keith Ernald Singian, Pampanga police director.

The killers fled towards Bacolor town on a motorcycle which did not have any license plate, he added.

The 52-year-old Nulud reportedly ran and lost as a councilor in Guagua in the last elections under the Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino of President Arroyo.

Police said Nulud was taken by relatives to the Diosdado Macapagal Memorial Hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival.

Police found five spent shells and three deformed slugs from a .45 caliber pistol at the crime scene.

Nulud reportedly threw his support behind Catholic priest Fr. Panlilio, who won the gubernatorial elections against Governor Lapid (Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats) and Board Member Lilia Pineda (Kampi), police added.

Police immediately set up checkpoints in strategic spots to arrest the killers of Nulud.  

In Porac, Barangay Jalung chairman Fernando Santos was unharmed, but his wife Maria Paz and sister-in-law Rita Mercado were wounded when gunmen opened fire at the tricycle they were riding in Barangay Cangatba last May 21, according to Chief Inspector Jun Mamaril, Regional Information Office officer.

Reports said the wife and sister-in-law of Santos were taken to the Porac District Hospital.

The suspects fled towards the Porac River, police said.

Santos was reportedly a supporter of Lapid.