Ex-Batangas vice mayor shot dead

MANILA, Philippines - A former municipal vice mayor in Batangas was killed in an attack staged by an unidentified gunman shortly before midnight Wednesday in San Pascual town.

Alfredo “Pido” Aldover, who serves as security officer of town Mayor Antonio Dimayuga, was declared dead on arrival at the Mario Bejasa General Hospital.

Aldover was found with a gunshot to the head near the San Pascual Baylon church at about 11:15 p.m., according to Senior Inspector Manuel Maligaya, town police chief.

Reports said the victim was driving his car home from a friend’s birthday party when he allegedly heard a gunshot.

Maligaya said Aldover proceeded home to leave his car and returned to the site reportedly armed with a .9mm pistol.

He said witnesses saw Aldover allegedly firing his gun on the air before he was shot.

Maligaya said no one saw the gunman as the place was dark.

“There was no ambush, he was shot from the back,” Maligaya said.

The police official said they invited two witnesses including a 17-year-old boy to shed light in the killing.

Aldover was vice mayor of San Pascual from 1995 to 1998 and acted as mayor for three months when former mayor Mario Magsaysay was suspended in 1998, according to Senior Superintendent Jireh Omega Fidel, Batangas police director.

Police have yet to establish the motive for the killing.– With Cecille Suerte Felipe, Arnell Ozaeta