2 killed in Zamboanga del Sur shooting

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - A former village chairman and a chief watchman were gunned down while another was wounded Tuesday night in a remote village of Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur, police said. 

Police identified the victims as Lowell Lalican, 48, former barangay chairman; and Carlito Catadman, 42, chief Tanod (village watchman), while her daughter Christine Mie, 15, was wounded, All victims were residents of Barangay Lison Valley, Pagadian City. 

Police Superintendent Glenn Macario Dulawan, Pagadian City Police Station officer-in-charge, said investigation disclosed that both victims were watching television on the house of the former village chairman when unidentified gunmen emerged and shot the victims several times about 10 p.m. Tuesday.

Police said the teenage girl who was also inside the house was hit and wounded by the suspects who immediately escaped. 

Lalican and the chief watchman died on the spot while the teenage girl was rushed to Zamboanga del Sur Medical Center for treatment. 

Responding police forces recovered from the crime scene several spent shells fired from M16 and carbine rifles.

Authorities were investigating the motive of the attack but did not discount that personal grudge could have triggered the attack on the victims.