2 village exces, mayor's aide killed in Nueva Ecija

QUEZON, Nueva Ecija – Two village officials and a town mayor’s security aide were killed in an attack by unidentified gunmen here police said.

The victims were drinking in front of a store in a village in Quezon town in the northern province of Nueva Ecija night of June 30 when the suspects opened fire at them.

They were identified as village captain Miguel Sta. Ana, village security officer Florencio Alberto, and Victor Ramos, chief security officer of the town mayor.

Senior Supt. Eduardo Pajarillo said a village councilor was also injured in the attack.

He said Alberto and Ramos died on the spot, while Sta. Ana expired en route to hospital.

The suspects were aboard a van and immediately fled the area after the shooting, he added.

Pajarillo said investigators had not yet identified any suspects or a motive for the attack, but noted that politics could be behind the killing.

Nueva Ecija was one of several provinces placed under high alert during congressional and local elections in May due to poll-related violence amid intense political rivalry.