Bukidnon mayoral bet shot dead

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines (Updated) – A mayoral bet in Lantapan town in Bukidnon was shot dead by unidentified men who barged into his home early Saturday, May 7. 

Armando Ceballos was believed to have been shot by an M16 or an M14 rifle. He was rushed to the Polymedic Plaza in nearby Malaybalay City, where he died, police said.

The independent candidate is the first case of potentially election-related killing in the Mindanao province. (READ: Complete list of Bukidnon candidates)

“They entered the compound, round up the residents and ordered them to drop on the ground, and shot Ceballos on the back,” said Northern Mindanao regional police director Police Chief Superintendent Jose Gentiles.

The suspects were heard saying: “Hapa! Hapa! Si mayor lang amo tuyo (Drop! Drop! We are only here for the mayor!).

The suspects, who came in a Green Bongo cargo truck, also fled with one .45 caliber firearm and cash amounting to P80,000.

“We will intensify police visibility and intelligence gathering,” said Commission on Elections Region 10 Director Jay Balisado. 

The military also reported incidents of violence in other parts of Mindanao. 

In Zamboanga Sibugay, unidentified gunmen in three civilian vehicles strafed at the house of the village chief of Barangay Sampoli B. No one was hurt in the incident. 

In Maguindanao, a hand grenade exploded near the billeting area of police and military personnel at the vicinity of Simuay Elementary School in Sultan Kudarat.  – Rappler.com