Negros Occidental town councilor shot dead in front of family

NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Philippines – A councilor in Moises Padilla town in this province was killed in his residence at Barangay Inolingan on Sunday morning, March 31. 

Reelectionist Councilor Jolomar Hilario, 51, was still sleeping when about 50 armed men entered their house and shot him dead in front of his family. He succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds and was declared dead at a hospital.

Police Major Junji Liba, town police chief, said the victim’s wife and his children were threatened by the armed suspects but were unscathed. (READ: PNP: 701 election hotspots as 2019 campaign period begins)

The suspects allegedly identified themselves as members of the New People’s Army (NPA).

The police have yet to establish the motive of the killing as the investigation is still ongoing. 

Moises Padilla is one of the localities in the province being closely monitored due to insurgency, history of violence, and election-related incidents. – Rappler.com