ORMOC CITY– A village councilor who is running for barangay chairman in next month’s barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections, was shot several times in Leyte, Leyte on Thursday at about 7:45 am.
The victim was identified by the local police as Junie Dela Peña, 51, a candidate for village chairman in Tag-abaca, about 15 kms away from the town center.
The three suspects, who were clad in black jackets and on board a pick-up, overtook the vehicle where De la Peña and his passenger were on board and without provocation, shot the victim several times hitting him on the different parts of his body, the report added.
The woman companion of the victim, Rosalia Gondong, was unhurt.
It was learned that the victim was on his way to Ta-abaca and traversing at Sitio Naga, Brgy. Consuegra, also in Leyte, when the incident took place.
The victim was brought to a hospital in Ormoc City and is said to be in critical condition.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) in the region has yet to issue a statement on whether the incident was related to the October 30 village elections.
The town of Leyte is part of the third district of Leyte which has been identified to be a hot spot area relative to the forthcoming balloting.
(ROBERT DEJON)
