Ex-vice mayor hurt, barangay exec slain in shootings

MANILA, Philippines — A former vice mayor was critically wounded while a barangay councilman was killed in gun attacks in Batangas on Saturday.

Ferdinand Ramos, former vice mayor of Sto. Tomas town, was on his way home after going to church when he was waylaid in Barangay 2 at about 7:25 p.m.

Ramos was hit in the face and brought to the St. Cabrini Hospital, where he remains confined at the intensive care unit.

Witnesses said the lone gunman, who was holding an umbrella, fled on foot.

Probers have yet to determine the motive for the gun attack.

Ramos has not declared his intention to run for any position in next year’s elections.

Meanwhile, Romel Luancing, councilman of Barangay Antipolo del Sur in Lipa City, was talking to another kagawad when he was shot by motorcycle-riding gunmen.

Luancing was declared dead on arrival at the NL Villa Hospital.

The incidents are the latest in a string of gun attacks targeting local officials.

Vice Mayor Al-Rashid Mohammad Ali of Sapa-Sapa town in Tawi-Tawi; Mayor Antonio Halili of Tanauan, Batangas; Mayor Ferdinand Bote of General Tinio, Nueva Ecija, and Vice Mayor Alexander Lubigan of Trece Martires, Cavite, were gunned down in the past two weeks.

The League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) condemned the attacks and sought the help of President Duterte for their protection.

The LMP also urged the Philippine National Police and National Bureau of Investigation to step up their probes on the incidents to bring the perpetrators to justice.