Negros, Maguindanao councilors shot dead

MANILA, Philippines — Another councilor of Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental, who is seeking reelection, was killed in an ambush yesterday.

Capt. Junji Liba, Moises Padilla police chief, said a convoy carrying Councilor Michael Garcia, his uncle Mark and Vice Mayor Ella Garcia-Yulo, who is running for mayor, were on their way home after a campaign sortie when they were waylaid in Sitio Dresden, Barangay Inolingan.

Michael and Mark died at the scene. Yulo was unhurt.

Army soldiers, backed up by an armored personnel carrier, were dispatched to secure Yulo.

Brig. Gen. John Bulalacao, Western Visayas police chief, condemned the attack and vowed to go after the perpetrators.

On March 30, Councilor Jolomar Hilario also of Moises Padilla was murdered at his residence by suspected communist rebels.

Escalante Councilor Bernardino Patigas, 72, who was also seeking reelection, was gunned down by motorcycle-riding gunmen on Monday.

Patigas was former secretary-general of the Northern Negros Human Rights Alliance.

The Commission on Elections declared Escalante as an election area of concern under category yellow following the killing of Patigas.

In Maguindanao, Shariff Saidona Mustapha Councilor Berto Guiamadel was shot dead by motorcycle-riding men while driving his motorbike on his way to a market.

Bullet shells for a caliber .45 caliber pistol  and an M16 rifle were recovered at the scene.

Investigations into the killings are ongoing.

Misamis barangay chief slain

Meanwhile, in Misamis Oriental, Claver Miral, chairman of Barangay Napaliran in Balingasag town, was killed in a gun attack on Sunday night.

Capt. Princess Joy Enriquez, Misamis Oriental police spokesperson, said Miral was on his way home from a birthday party in Jasaan town when he was shot in Barangay Hermano.

The victim was a known ally of former mayor Alexis Quina, who is seeking to regain his seat in the May polls. – With Gerry Lee Gorit