COTABATO CITY, Philippines — The barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections are still six months away, yet several village leaders have already been killed in separate attacks around the country, mostly in Mindanao.
The latest fatality was Tonesa Sarudin, chief of Barangay Mindupok in Maitum town, Sarangani. She died from a gunshot to the head, police said.
Sarudin was the fourth barangay captain to be killed in Mindanao and the sixth in the country since January.
She died instantly after a lone assailant shot her within the premises of the barangay hall, according to Brig. Gen. Jamili Macaraeg, Soccsksargen (South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos) police director.
The assailant fled in a waiting motorcycle.
Probers have yet to determine the motive for the killing.
A day earlier, Danny Angkay, chief of Barangay Salaman in Lebak, Sultan Kudarat, was shot dead by unidentified men in Ampatuan, Maguindanao del Sur.
On March 14, Hadji Basit Zangkala, chairman of Barangay Labu-Labu 2 in Datu Hofer, Maguindanao del Sur, was shot dead by motorcycle-riding assailants in the nearby town of Shariff Aguak.
On the same day, Mario Tundag and his wife were killed in an attack in Asturias, Cebu.
Tundag was chief of Barangay Manguiao in Asturias.
On Feb. 26, Vivencio Palo was shot dead in Lipa, Batangas. He was chairman of Barangay San Carlos in Lipa.
On Jan. 31, Abobakar Abdul, chairman of Barangay Polloc in Parang, Maguindanao del Norte, was killed along with his wife in an attack in the nearby village of Timbangan.
The barangay and SK elections will be conducted in October.