Gun ban not working? Another man shot dead

CORTES, BOHOL, Philippines – The Comelec gun ban has been put to a test during the electoral campaign period in Bohol, and the result has not been good.

This surfaced as a certain Simplicio Quicho was shot dead in sitio Liloan, Barangay Poblacion of this town last weekend without provocation.

Police report said Quicho was playing chess with a security guard of National Power Corp’s power barge moored nearby Abatan river when two unknown motorcycle-riding assailants fired and killed him instantly. The probers recovered empty shells of reportedly a 9mm-caliber handgun.

The victim, who was said to be a native of Trento in Agusan del Sur but now a resident of Songculan in Dauis town, was hit on his left chest. Rushing him to the hospital in Tagbilaran City, less than 10 kilometers from here, proved useless.

Also minutes before the killing of Quicho, a white Isuzu Alterra vehicle owned by Mayor Apolinaria Balistoy was fired upon while parked near the mayor’s residence in Brgy. Malayo Norte of this town, police report said.

No one was hurt, the police said based on the testimony of the mayor’s son, Eckart Balistoy, who is a town councilor. The police recovered two empty shells from the scene.

The camp of Mayor Balistoy, who is now running for vice-mayor, has asked agencies concerned for the investigation of the shooting incident and to bring to justice the perpetrators. (FREEMAN)