AKLAN – A barangay captain survived a gun attack that took place in Barangay Rivera, Ibajay on Wednesday, Dec. 27.
Rivera village chief Mageline Vicente Belinario was riding a motorcycle on a barangay road with her son at around 9 a.m. when three unidentified gunmen appeared.
Jim Vicente Belinario, a former Rivera kagawad who was driving the motorcycle, died on the spot while his mother was rushed to Aklan Provincial Hospital in Kalibo.
The victim sustained five gunshot wounds to his shoulder, lower extremity, and lower right back section, a post-mortem examination showed.
Police found 13 empty shells of .45 pistol, two fired bullets, a bag containing cash, a metal fragment, and the motorcycle at the scene of the crime.
Ibajay acting police chief Captain Rajiv Salbino said they are looking at different angles – politics or personal grudges – behind the death of Belinario.
The suspects fled on foot in the mountainous area of Barangay Napatag, Tangalan, Aklan.
“Patuloy ang ating imbestigasyon upang matukoy natin ang puno’t dulo ng pamamaril at makilala ang mga suspek. Lahat ng anggulo tinitingnan din natin,” the police chief stressed.
In a radio interview, investigator Police Master Sergeant Allan Pontero said they have persons of interest in the wake of the deadly shooting./PN