Ex-Ecija barangay head killed in ambush

CABANATUAN CITY – A former three-term barangay chairman was killed in an ambush here yesterday morning by two motorcycle-riding men who reportedly took advantage of the absence of police checkpoints.

Senior Superintendent Napoleon Taas, provincial police director, said the victim, Melencio Martinez, 50, former chairman of Barangay Bangad this city, was riding his motorcycle from Barangay Lourdes when he was shot with caliber .45 pistols at around 9:20 a.m. yesterday.

Taas said there were reports that Martinez had received death threats.

He said the ambushers timed the attack when police checkpoints were not in operation.

“Apparently the perpetrators of the crime made their move when no checkpoint was around,” he said, adding that police may have to re-intensify checkpoints to prevent crimes.

Martinez was reportedly allied with the Josons’ Bagong Lakas ng Nueva Ecija (Balane) party. His successor, Manny Islaya, is a known supporter of Mayor Alvin Vergara.

Superintendent Eliseo Cruz, Cabanatuan City police chief, said they are still looking into different angles in Martinez’s ambush-slay.