Sibugay councilor bet gunned down

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – A candidate for councilor here was shot dead on Wednesday night, police said yesterday.

Arnel de la Cruz, 47, chairman of Barangay Upper Tungawan in Tungawan, Zamboanga Sibugay was on a motorcycle on his way home when he was shot by motorcycle-riding men, said Senior Superintendent Cleve Taboso, Zamboanga Sibugay police director.

De la Cruz died at the scene from multiple gunshot wounds.

Taboso said the killing could be politically motivated.

In November, Carmelo Banguangua, who was also running for councilor, died two weeks after a gun attack at his house.

The victim was Barangay Cayamcam chairman.

Police said De la Cruz and Banguangua were supporters of the late Tungawan mayor Randy Climaco, who was killed in an ambush shortly after filing his certificate of candidacy on Oct. 12.

Banguangua was reportedly one of the witnesses in Climaco’s ambush.