BACNOTAN, La Union – A 55-year old president of the Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) in this municipality died after he was repeatedly shot to death by a still unidentified lone gunman who barged into the barangay hall while the official and companions were reportedly having a drinking session at barangay Zaragosa here around 7:20 pm Wednesday.
Police authorities identified the slain local official as Edwin Cua, 55, married, incumbent punong barangay of Zaragosa and at the same time the incumbent ABC president and an ex-official member of the municipal council here.
Initial police investigation showed the victim and his companions were having a drinking session in the annex building of their barangay hall when a still unidentified lone gunman suddenly barged into the said place and peppered him with bullets from his firearm.
The victim’s companions were not able to retaliate after they were caught by surprise on the said shooting incident.
The victim was immediately rushed to the LORM Hospital in nearby San Fernando City but he died at around 8:50 pm due to multiple gunshot wounds on the different parts of his body.
Responding police operatives and elements of the Scene of the Crime Operation (SOCO) team recovered seven spent shells and two deformed slugs of a calibre .45 pistol from the crime scene.
The lone gunman was able to flee from the crime scene on board a motorcycle which was driven by his companion that served as a lookout outside the barangay hall.
Probers are still ascertaining the motive behind the brutal murder of the local official who was described by his constituents as a genuine public servant.
By Dexter A. See
