ORMOC CITY, Philippines — A barangay captain was killed in a gun attack in this city on Friday night.
Patricio Laude of Barangay Catmon was shot near the house of village council member Christopher Casinong, 47, who was wounded in the attack.
The gunman reportedly greeted the two then opened fire.
Casinong is now in stable condition in a hospital.
Eastern Visayas police director Brig. Gen. Reynaldo Pawid ordered pursuit operations for the assailant. He said checkpoints should be set up at the possible escape routes of the suspect.
Probers are eyeing politics as the motive for the killing.
The victim was a former barangay councilman and was on his first term as village chief.
Leyte Gov. Jericho Petilla had earlier expressed concern over recent killings in the province.