La Union village chief slain

LUNA, La Union, Philippines - – The incumbent chairman of Barangay Magsiping here was gunned down before noon yesterday while on his way home from a court hearing in nearby Balaoan town.

The victim, Fulgencio Regunay, 57, according to reports, was cruising a rough road onboard his tricycle when a motorcycle-riding man shot him three times in the back. 

As of press time, police were still confirming if the murder weapon was a .45-caliber pistol.

Investigators were still checking if the killing was related to the Oct. 28 barangay elections.

Regunay was reportedly facing charges before the Balaoan regional trial court after he was arrested for illegal possession of firearms during the midterm elections last May.

Reports said Regunay was on his second term as barangay chairman, but did not file his certificate of candidacy for the upcoming polls. 

In San Narciso, Zambales, a candidate for barangay councilman would live to see his victory or loss in the Oct. 28 village polls as he survived a gun attack last Saturday night, police said.

The victim, Eduardo Relaniza, 59, was having a round of drinks with Barangay Patrocinio councilman Rene Flauta in front of a store when a motorcycle-riding man shot him in the left leg, Senior Superintendent Manuel Abu, Zambales police director, said in a report.

Relaniza managed to crawl inside a compound but the gunman followed him and stabbed him in the right arm. His friend, a certain Ruth Jabolina, came to his rescue and struggled with the attacker who immediately fled.

Police are tracking down Relaniza’s attacker.

Meanwhile, in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay, a councilor and three of his companions were wounded in a gun attack last Sunday morning, police said. 

The victims, Sarabon Bawa, a councilor of Tungawan town, and his companions, Perlito Septimo Renie, Rovelie Olibo Aclanon, and Arnel Aclanon, were fired at by four motorcycle-riding men in Barangay Baybay Buluan, Ipil town.

Police were looking into several possible motives, including the upcoming barangay polls. – With Ric Sapnu, Roel Pareño, Raymund Catindig