Village chief gunned down

ILOILO CITY, Philippines — A barangay chairman was killed in an attack by motorcycle-riding assailants in Carles, Iloilo on Sunday night.

Jose Marcelo, 74, chief of Barangay Abong, was on his way home from a speaking engagement in the village plaza when he was killed at around 10:20 p.m.

The village was celebrating its annual fiesta with a community program on the night Marcelo was killed.

The victim was declared dead on arrival at the Jesus Colmenares District Hospital in nearby Balasan town, according to Maj. Nestor Bacuyag, Carles police chief.

Reports said that Marcelo and village watchman Pio Juanillo were on a motorcycle when they heard gunfire.

A bullet hit Marcelo in the right temple.

Responding police officers recovered a bullet shell for a .45-caliber pistol at the crime scene.

Probers have yet to determine the motive for the killing.