Ilocos Norte village chief shot dead

MANILA, Philippines - A village chief in Sarrat, Ilocos Norte was shot dead by van-riding men along the highway in the town on Monday night, police said.

Relatives said Randy Dipasupil, chairman of Barangay San Marcos, had received death threats. Police cited him last year for helping bust a robbery gang.

Dipasupil’s companion, village tanod (watchman) Wilbur Doronio, survived the attack unscathed.

The previous night, Amor Taclay, a former barangay head in Badoc town, also in Ilocos Norte, was shot dead and his wife wounded by motorcycle-riding men.

Taclay was reportedly planning to reclaim his old post in Barangay Turod in the upcoming barangay polls.  – Artemio Dumlao, Raymund Catindig, Teddy Molina, Charlie Lagasca