Gunmen kill barangay captain, friend in Ligao

LIGAO CITY, Philippines - The president of the Association of Barangay Captains in this city and his companion were gunned down Friday morning in barangay Hererra. Killed was ABC president Manolo Basilan, 55, a resident of barangay Culiat, and his companion Jessie Briones, 35, a resident of Ragay town in Camarines Sur. Police said that the incident occurred around 7:30 a.m. while the victims were on board a motorcycle. Ligao police chief, Chief Inspector Vicente Wanasen, said Basilan was shot at close range and hit in the head while his companion sustained gunshot wounds in different parts of the body from a .45 caliber pistol. The suspects, police said, escaped on board a tricycle and fled towards Oas town. Recovered from the crime scene were 17 .45-caliber shells. Probers have yet to determine the motive for the killings. - Michael B. Jaucian, GMANews.TV