Losing bet killed in Zamboanga Sibugay

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - A losing vice mayoral candidate was killed in ambushed by unidentified assassins in a village of Roseller T. Lim town, Zamboanga Sibugay, according to police Tuesday.

The police identified the victim as Damerl Ulao, 47, married and a resident of Barangay Tupilac. Ulan  ran as vice mayor but lost in the recently-concluded polls.

Chief Inspector Ariel Huesca, Spokesman of Police Regional Office 9 (PRO), said local police investigation disclosed that the victim was driving his motorcycle from Barangay Poblacion on his way home passing Barangay Magsaysay when he was attacked by two unidentified assassins on board another motorcycle with no plate number about 8:10 p.m. Sunday.

Huesca said the suspects armed with .45 caliber pistol shot Ulao several times killing him on the spot. The suspects escaped toward an unknown direction.

Responding local police recovered from the crime scene six spent shells and two bullet fragments, believed to be dispensed fom .45 caliber, and nail spikes wrapped in a piece of black cloth.

According to the family of the victim,  the assassination of Ulao could still be related to the recent elections as the victim had reportedly filed an election protest.  - Roel  Pareño