Councilwoman gunned down in La Union capital

SAN FERNANDO, La Union, Philippines – A councilwoman in this city was shot dead by a lone motorcycle-riding man while on her way to another barangay last Monday afternoon. 

The victim, Cristina Rilloraza, number one elected kagawad of Barangay Dalumpinas Este, died from several bullet wounds from a caliber .45 pistol. 

Investigation showed that Rilloraza had just left her house when the gunman appeared and fired at her several times. She was rushed to the Lorma Medical Center but was declared dead on arrival. 

The gunman, who was wearing a ski mask, escaped immediately after the incident on board an unregistered motorcycle. 

Mayor Pablo Ortega told The STAR that he has ordered Superintendent Rolando Bersola, city police chief, to dig deeper into Rilloraza’s killing to determine if politics was involved.

“This incident is so discouraging because the past barangay elections here in San Fernando are very peaceful,” he said.

Ortega said he has instructed Bersola to tighten security measures in the entire city, especially as the holiday season is approaching.

“I already instructed the chief of police to look into the incident and strengthen the security in the city, conduct checkpoints and impound unregistered motorcycles,” he said.