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Ex-Ecija bocap killed in ambush

By Liam Anacleto

CABANATUAN CITY – A former three-term barangay chairman was killed in an ambush here Thursday morning by two motorcycle-riding men who took advantage of the absence of police checkpoints.

Senior Supt. Napoleon Taas, provincial police director, said the victim, Melencio Martinez, 50, former chairman of Barangay Bangad this city, was riding his motorcycle from Barangay Lourdes when he was shot with Cal. 45 pistols around 9:20 a.m.

Taas said Martinez had received death threats, adding ambushers timed the attack when police checkpoints were not in operation. Martinez was reportedly allied with the Josons’ Bagong Lakas ng Nueva Ecija (Balane) party.

His successor, Manny Islaya, is a known supporter of Mayor Alvin Vergara. Supt. Eliseo Cruz, Cabanatuan City police chief, said they are still looking into different angles in Martinez’s ambush-slay.