ILOILO CITY, Philippines – A village official and his two companions were shot dead by an unidentified assailant in Lambunao, Iloilo on Saturday.
Alex Acopio, 27, treasurer of Barangay Tranghawan; his girlfriend Diorie Mae Lozada, 25, and her employer Jasmin Navarra, 35, were on a motorcycle when they were shot in Barangay Pandan.
Acopio was hit in the arm, causing him to lose control of the wheel.
As the victims fell from the motorcycle, the assailant approached and shot them in the head, according to town police chief Senior Inspector Felix Alianza Jr.
The victims were declared dead on arrival at the nearby Dr. Ricardo Ladrido Memorial District Hospital.
Authorities are eyeing jealousy as a motive for the killing.
Reports said that before the incident, the victims – along with Gerald Sentuelo, a security officer of a local university – attended a concert in Passi City.
Police said Navarra arrived at the concert on a motorcycle driven by Sentuelo, who was allegedly her boyfriend.
Acopio and Lozada arrived on another motorcycle.
Alianza said Navarra and Sentuelo were quarreling because the man was jealous of the woman’s suitors.
Navarra decided to go home with Acopio and Lozada.
Witnesses said three motorcycles were seen tailing the victims. One of the motorcycle drivers shot Acopio.
Authorities were looking for Sentuelo to shed light on the incident.