By Liezle Basa Iñigo
A former municipal councilor in Cordon, Isabela was shot dead while driving his vehicle through Barangay Turod Norte of the town this afternoon, police said.
Senior Police Officer 3 Franklin Alvarez, case investigator, identified the victim as former councilor Jose Bugbog, of Barangay Wigan, Cordon.
SPO3 Alvarez said Bugbog was driving his Asian utility vehicle (AUV) with three companions, when gunmen aboard a sports utility vehicle (SUV) opened fire at his vehicle at 4:15 p.m.
It was apparent that Bugbog was the target of the attack as none of his three companions were hit, investigation showed.
“Ligtas naman ang tatlo nyang kasama, maliban sa isang babae na nauntog (His three companions survived, but one woman had a bump in the head),” SPO3 Alvarez told The Manila Bulletin.
He said Bugbog was taken to a nearby hospital, but declared dead on arrival by the attending physician.
The group had just come from Barangay Tanggal and on their way to Barangay Centro when the killers struck.
It was learned that the victim was scheduled to file his certificate of candidacy (COC) for councilor next week.
But SPO3 Alvarez stopped short of speculating on a political angle behind Bugbog’s killing, pending further investigation.