Newly elected Antipolo b’gay councilman slain; wife wounded

MANILA, Philippines - A newly elected barangay councilman was killed while his wife was wounded in an ambush by motorcycle-riding men in Antipolo City on Monday. The couple’s two children were unscathed in the attack.

Councilman Randy Cabanza, a resident of Barangay Sta. Cruz, was shot in the head and died while being rushed to the Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center.

His wife, Lenie, sustained a bullet wound in the body and is now being treated in the same hospital.

Senior Superintendent Rolando Anduyan, Rizal police director, set up a dragnet in all the city’s exit and entry points after the ambush but policemen failed to intercept the attackers.

Cabanza was a political speaker of the Liberal Party in Antipolo City in past elections. He won as barangay councilman in the village polls last Oct. 28.

Superintendent Arthur Masungsong, Antipolo City police chief, said Cabanza, his wife and two children were on their way to visit a relative in Barangay Masinag onboard a Mitsubishi Adventure when they were waylaid upon reaching Marcos Highway in Barangay Bagong Nayon.