Tanod slain, barangay execs hurt in Pasay attack

MANILA, Philippines - A barangay tanod (watchman) was killed while four others – including the barangay chairman – were wounded as unidentified attackers shot them in the barangay hall at Barangay 134, Zone 13 in Pasay City Friday night.

According to police reports, the victims were watching a basketball game on television at the barangay hall at around 9:30 p.m. when the gunmen shot at them through the steel grills of the hall’s windows.

Reports reaching the Southern Police District identified the fatality as John Quilantang and the wounded as barangay chairman Maynard Alfaro; barangay councilors Noel Mariano and Jose Maria Mendoza; and watchman Frank Reyes.

The victims were rushed to the Manila Adventist Hospital and the Pasay City General Hospital. Quilantang was declared dead on arrival.

Police officers said that at least four gunmen could have been involved in the attack. At least 15 shells from .45 caliber, .40 caliber and 9mm pistols, as well as a motorcycle believed to have been used by the attackers, were recovered from the crime scene.

Investigators have yet to determine the motive behind the attack.

1 dead, 1 hurt in QC shooting

Meanwhile, a sari-sari store owner died while a bystander was wounded in a shooting along Agham Road in Quezon City before dawn yesterday.

Rico Aranillo, 45, was closing his store, located near the Philippine Science High School, at around 1 a.m. when at least five men on two motorcycles and a Toyota Tamaraw FX arrived, witnesses told police.

One of the men got out of the car and shot Aranillo until he fell, Police Officer 2 Anthony Tejerero said.

Meanwhile, Tejerero said another man walked toward a group of men gambling near the store and shot at them, hitting Gerry Comura, 36.

The police officer said the attackers sped away following the shooting.

Aranillo and Comura were taken to the East Avenue Medical Center, but Aranillo died within an hour after the attack. – With Reinir Padua