Sarangani mayor shot dead

DAVAO CITY — The award-winning mayor of Maitum, the capital town of Sarangani, was shot dead by three motorcycle-riding men yesterday afternoon, authorities said.

Reports said Mayor George Yabes, 58, was entering his Raymart’s Store in the town proper when the three men arrived and fired at him with caliber .45 pistols.

Yabes sustained three gunshot wounds — one in the neck and two in the chest — and was declared dead on arrival at the Teburcio Aquino District Hospital in nearby Kiamba town.

Yabes had steered Maitum to become the country’s most child-friendly municipality and one of the top 10 towns and cities successful in addressing poverty, as evaluated by the United Nations and Gawad Galing Pook.

Yabes was also cited for his efforts last year to provide Internet access to his constituents through the Community E-Center in the municipal hall.

Yabes also put up a knowledge center in each of Maitum’s 19 barangays where children could access educational and instructional materials.