CEBU, Philippines - A barangay councilman seeking reelection was gunned down by two unidentified assailants while sitting outside his house in Barangay Manatad, Sibonga Sunday evening.
Police, however, clarified that the killing of Gomersindo Sabanal, 49, was not politically-motivated as there was no report of intense rivalry in the area in relation to the upcoming barangay election.
Sabanal was outside his house together with his two male helpers when the assailants wearing full-faced helmets arrived on board a Suzuki Smash motorcycle and shot him once.
The helpers ran for safety while the gunman alighted from the motorcycle and shot Sabanal again several times, hitting him in different parts of his body. They then sped off towards Barangay Papan.
The victim was rushed to Carcar City Provincial Hospital but was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician.
Chief Insp. Bonifacio Tecson, Sibonga police chief, disclosed that Sabanal had an affair with a married woman and their relationship lasted for about three years, although their communication still continues.
“Medyo duol ang third party kay ang babaye minyo pero buwag sa bana pero okay ilang communication hangtod ron,†Tecson said.
Tecson said they are also eyeing personal grudge as Sabanal was reportedly defending his former male helper, a certain Ren-Ren Padigos of Leyte, who was the suspect in the shooting incident in Argao last July.
Sabanal executed an affidavit testifying that Padigos was not among the suspects that injured a certain Mansanades.
“Posibli ang iyang paglaban gikasuko sa hingtungdan sa biktima,†Tecson claimed.
Tecson said that Sabanal received death threats through a text message a week ago.
The Provincial Intelligence Branch (PIB) and the Provincial Investigation and Detective Management Branch (PIDMB) are now helping the town police in their investigation.
Following the incident, Cebu Provincial Police Office director, Sr. Supt. Noel Gillamac, said he will recommend Barangay Manatad under Election Watchlist Areas (EWAS) to the Provincial Joint Security Control Center next week.
“We will discuss this first with the Comelec (Commission on Election),†Gillamac said.
At least 11 barangays from four municipalities in Cebu Province are already under EWAS because of intense political rivalry.
These barangays are Pitalo, Panadtaran, Bugho and Tongo of San Fernando town; Poblacion and Sima in Dumanjug; Sumon and Candabong in Tuburan; Kantubaon and Kanluhangon in Tabuelan; and Cayang in Bogo City.
These barangays are classified under category one because aside of the existence of political rivalry.
Provincial Election Supervisor, Atty. Lionel Marco Castillano, admitted that the number of barangay under EWAS would increase or decrease depending on the political activities in the area.
Gillamac, on the other hand, directed the PIDMB to investigate Tecson for failure to immediately inform him on the shooting incident.
Tanod kills neighbor
Meanwhile, a barangay tanod shot dead his neighbor and injured another Sunday afternoon in Barangay Maharuhay, Medellin town.
The victim, Iluminado Ybañez, 55, was attending a barangay assembly at a basketball court when suspect, Edgar Tumara, 52, armed with a .45 caliber pistol, arrived and shot him several times. He was killed on the spot. — /GMR (FREEMAN)