A purok leader of a local political coalition while driving his motorcycle was shot dead at a remote village in Clarin town at 12:45 p.m. on Saturday, two days before the midterm polls.
The fatality, Ernesto Sioco, Jr., 39, of Sitio Labangon, Poblacion Sur, Clarin, was cornered and gunned down by at least four assailants on board two motorcycles, one trailing the victim and the other incoming from the opposite lane, at a barangay road in Candajec, Clarin, said Executive Master Sergeant Carlos Condino.
Clarin Mayor Allen Rey Piezas, who is running for vice mayor under the Padayon Bol-anon coalition, confirmed that Sioco, a barangay tanod, was a supporter of their group.
According to Condino, only one of the assailants shot Sioco.
Sioco died on the spot, he added.
“Base sa atong mga testigos, gisugat ni siya ‘nya gisundan sad,” he added.
According to Condino, investigations were still ongoing to identify the suspects and the motive behind the attack.