ILOILO CITY – A barangay captain and her husband were shot dead in Dueñas town, Iloilo province, on Thursday morning, Dec. 5.
The Dueñas Municipal Police Station identified the fatality as Barangay Captain Michelle Lapastora Lamela of Barangay Santo Niño.
Investigation said Lamela was onboard a motorcycle driven by husband Rodney when a man on a motorcycle parked in a corner in Barangay Tinucuan shot them.
The victims sustained bullet wounds and were taken to the Don Valerio Palmares Sr. Memorial District Hospital in Passi City where they were declared dead.
The gunman fled the scene on board another motorcycle.
Police Regional Office-6 chief Police Brig. Gen. Jack Wanky and Iloilo Police Provincial Office head Police Col. Bayani Razalan inspected the crime scene.
Wanky said investigators are looking into two angles in the murder – politically motivated as Michelle was serving her first term and revenge as Rodney killed an individual in 2009.
A case was filed against Rodney but it was reportedly settled.
Police are conducting follow-up investigation.