Barangay chief, councilman killed in Ilocos, Isabela

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – Motorcycle-riding men shot dead a newly elected village chief in Santiago, Ilocos Sur yesterday morning, in yet another killing in the province and nearby Ilocos Norte.

In Cauayan City, Isabela, a barangay councilman, just on his second day in office, was gunned down in his store Monday night.

Police said Marcelo Concepcion, councilman of Barangay Nagrumbuan, sustained multiple bullet wounds and died while being treated at the Cauayan District Hospital.

Concepcion was the third village official slain since October by suspected guns-for-hire in Cauayan City.

In Ilocos Sur, armed men attacked Antonio Laranang Valdez, 55, the new chairman of Barangay Sakingcub, Santiago town, in front of a church along the highway at around 8:30 a.m. yesterday. He had just presided over a barangay meeting.

Valdez, who sustained two gunshot wounds, died while being rushed to the Candon General Hospital.

Police said Valdez’s attackers used a .45-caliber pistol to kill him.