1 councilor dead, another hurt in Zambo del Sur

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines  - Police have stepped up the security in Pagadian City and Labangan town in Zamboanga del Sur following the killing of a village councilor and wounding of another in separate attacks on  of political supporters Monday,  according to a security officer.

Police Chief Inspector Ariel Huesca, spokesman for Police Regional Office 9 (PRO), identified the fatality as Noli Andrino, 48, village councilor of Barangay Bagalupa while Rodrigo Guilingan,  also a village councilor  in Cogonan, was injured. Both barangays are in Labangan Municipality, the adjacent town of Pagadian City.

Huesca said  Andrino was driving a motorcycle back to the latter's town when the councilor was gunned down by two unidentified gunmen riding a motorcycle  about 6:20 p.m. Monday at Barangay Tulunan, Pagadian City.

About an hour after, an  unidentified suspect fired and wounded Guilingan while the latter was walking from their barangay hall toward the victim's house at Masaganon sitio Glab.

Guilingan sustained gunshot wound on his abdominal area, but survived the gun attack as he was immediately rushed to the nearby hospital.

Police investigators are looking into politically-motivated angles as the victims were said to be supporters of certain local candidates.

Huesca said security in Pagadian City has been tightened.- Roel Pareño