ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - A masked gunman shot and wounded on Tuesday a school president and pastor, both leaders of a peace advocate group in a village in Zamboanga City, a police official said.
The victims were identified as lawyer Paulino Ersando, president of Zion Elementary School and Pastor Pablo Palis, both officials of the Peace Advocate of Zamboanga (PAZ).
Ersando sustained a gunshot wound on his neck while Palis was hit on his abdominal portion. They were rushed to the nearby hospital for treatment and were declared in stable condition.
Chief Inspector Felixberto Martinez, chief of the city police office investigation division, said the two victims were on board their service, a sports utility vehicle with plate number WMS 955, on their way to attend a wake at Barangay Baliwasan when they were attacked by the lone gunman about 9:15 a.m. Tuesday.
The police said the unidentified suspect escaped on board a motorcycle towards an unknown direction, sporting a bull cap, sunglasses and a mask, and wearing long sleeves.
Martinez said the investigating police forces were trying to establish the motive of the incident.