2 Albay barangay officials shot dead

LEGAZPI CITY --- A barangay captain and his treasurer in Albay town were gunned down by unidentified suspects on Monday (Sept. 22) afternoon, a police official said.

Major Domingo Tapel Jr., Guinobatan police chief, identified the fatalities as Luzviminda Dayandante, 50, barangay chairperson and Albert P. Orlina, 45, barangay treasurer, both of Batbat in Guinobatan, Albay.

Tapel said at around 3:45 PM on Sept. 22, the victims while on board a motorcycle passing through Sitio Gumian, Barangay Sinungtan, were fired upon by unidentified suspects.

“Based on police investigation, Dayandante sustained four gunshot wounds while Orlina suffered a gun shot at his back from M-16 rifle,” Tapel said.

He added that they are still investigating as to the motive of the killings.

Guinobatan Mayor Gemma Ongjoco, in an interview, confirmed that the victims visited her office to follow up on projects in their village hours before the killings.

Meanwhile, Albay 3rd district Rep. Fernando Cabredo, in a Facebook post, condemned the murder of the officials.

“Kapitana Luzviminda Dayandante of Barangay Batbat -- a dedicated public servant and my long-time friend has joined our creator yesterday. I condemn the brutal killings of Kapitana. In this difficult time, we all join her family in their sorrow and in their quest for justice,” Cabredo said. (PNA)