Barangay executive gunned down; 2 others hurt

Manila, Philippines - A barangay official was shot and killed while two others were wounded yesterday morning by a gunman who did not leave behind any spent shells that could be used as evidence against him.

The gunman killed 62-year-old Henry Capellan, a member of the “lupong tagapamayapa” in Barangay Old Balara, Quezon City. As barangay arbiter, he helped resolve disputes among residents of the barangay.

“The suspect used a paper or plastic bag to cover his gun, which he apparently used to catch every spent shell,” case investigator Police Officer 3 Jaime Jimena said, adding that this means they would have difficulty in determining the firearm used in the attack and in tracing the owner of the gun.

Jimena said it was the first time he encountered such a tactic and believes the unidentified attacker could be a professional triggerman. He said they are looking into the possibility that the victim’s death could be related to his lending business.

Capellan died on the spot from two gunshot wounds in the head during the shooting, which happened at around 7 a.m. along Kaligtasan street in Barangay Holy Spirit.

Stray bullets hit residents Edgar Cabides, 37, in the abdomen and Rogelio Balmores, 60, in the right leg.

Other witnesses said after the victim fell, his attacker fired his gun into the air in an apparent attempt to scare off people. The gunman then fled on a motorcycle driven by another man. No one was able to take note of the motorcycle’s license plate number.