MANILA, Philippines – A barangay captain was shot dead in Tondo, Manila by motorcycle-riding killers as he was celebrating with constituents at a party on Christmas Day.
A witness to the murder of Barangay 104 chairman Randy “Bong” Reyes on Capulong Street said: “Nagkakasiyahan sila dito. Harutan sila, may kumanta, sumayaw … may dumaan na motorna walang plate number tapos may takip mukha nila, dalawa sila. Tapos bumaba ‘yung isa, pinagbabaril si chairman (They were celebrating. They were having fun, some were singing, dancing … a motorcycle with no license plate and bearing two masked riders passed by. One man went down and shot the chairman).”
Reyes had been giving away gifts and had also sung some videoke songs before he was killed.
A tricycle driver, Rodel Mariano, was also wounded by the gunmen, but Manila police Chief Inspector Romeo Estabillo said this was accidental.
Reyes was described as an aggressive participant in the anti-drug campaign in his village, although he was a former user.
The village chief was the second person to be shot by “riding-in-tandem” killers on Capulong Street.
