Erice aide’s brod shot in front of Caloocan city hall

MANILA, Philippines - A brother of an aide of Caloocan Vice Mayor and congressman-elect Edgar Erice was shot dead in front of the Caloocan city hall on Monday night.

The death of Allan Zapanta was “not politically” motivated, according to the results of an initial investigation, Erice said.

Zapanta, 42, had just boarded a multicab to fetch his brother, Barangay 13 Kagawad Armin Zapanta, when two men riding a motorcycle approached him at past 6 p.m.

The men shot Zapanta in the head then fled toward Sangandaan.

Four .45 caliber shells were found at the crime scene. Police also recovered P100 and an identification card from Zapanta’s pocket.

In an interview, Erice denied rumors that Allan was his driver but said the multicab belonged to him. “Armin, not his brother, is a member of my staff,” he said.

Erice explained that he lent the vehicle to Armin during the elections and he has yet to take it back.

“But this has nothing to do with politics. I even asked (Armin) and that’s what he also said,” Erice, who ran and won the congressional race in district two, said.

He added that “it would be unfair” to think that Zapanta’s death had something to do with the May 13 polls because the elections in the city was not that unruly.