NGO worker shot dead

CEBU, Philippines - An officer of an international non-governmental organization was shot dead Thursday afternoon at Estancia, Iloilo.

Andrew Gil Peñafrancia, 24, was riding his motorcycle on his way to his rented room at Barangay Cano-an, when the backrider of another motorcycle shot him.

When Peñafrancia fell down, the gunman fired “finishing” shots on him. He was still brought to Jesus Colmenares Memorial District Hospital but did not survive.

The victim died with five gunshot wounds—two on his back, one on his right arm through and through, right portion of the face, and one on the head.

Probers said Peñafrancia was just promoted as fleet manager of Action Against Hunger/ACF International, a global humanitarian organization committed to ending world hunger, saving the lives of malnourished children and providing communities with access to safe water and sustainable solutions.

Senior Inspector Lorenez Losaria, Estancia Police chief, said the victim had a spat with one of the truck owners recently.

But Losaria quickly pointed out that the work-related angle is just one of the possible motives they are looking into Peñafrancia's death. — Jennifer P. Rendon (FREEMAN)