Ex-mayoral bet shot dead

CABANATUAN CITY, Philippines  – A former mayoral candidate in Dingalan, Aurora was shot dead by a motorcycle-riding man in Sta. Rosa, Nueva Ecija last Tuesday, police reported yesterday.

Romeo Callanta, 64, of Barangay Butas na Bato, was driving a sport utility vehicle (NXI-402) with his girlfriend Jinky Francisco, 21, on board when he was shot near a public market, according to provincial police director Senior Superintendent Manuel Cornel.

Callanta was declared dead on arrival at the Doctors’ Hospital here while Francisco was unhurt in the attack.

The victim ran for mayor in 2004 but lost to Jaime Ylarde. He ran for vice mayor in 2007 and lost again to Edgar Hiram Liu.

Chief Inspector Norman Cacho, town police chief, said probers were eyeing land dispute as a possible motive for the attack.

Investigators recovered from the crime scene three bullet shells for a .45 caliber pistol.