A first-termer barangay chairman and an ally of Mayor Jose Max Ortiz, was shot dead by an unidentified gunman at 10:30 p.m. Sunday, in Brgy. Kumaliskis, Salvador Benedicto town, Negros Occidental.

Kumaliskis barangay captain Edwin Peruelo, 35, succumbed to three gunshot wounds in the back when he was shot by a lone gunman, who was wearing a “malong”, Senior Inspector John Joel Batus-Batusan, Salvador Benedicto police chief, said.

Peruelo was declared dead on arrival at the Sanitarium Hospital in Bacolod City, Batusbatusan said.

Three empty shells, believed to be those of a .45 caliber pistol, were recovered at the crime scene by Salvador Benedicto policemen who responded to the incident. Members of the police Scene Of the Crime Operatives, who also inspected the crime scene yesterday, recovered two slugs.

Batusbatusan said the gunman merged with the crowd, who scampered in all directions, while he was fleeing from the crime scene.

As for the motive of the killing, he said they are still facing a blank wall, but have already interviewed some of the barangay kagawads.

Peruelo was attending the highlights of their barangay fiesta, when he was gunned down at the barangay plaza, initial investigations of the Salvador Benedicto police showed.

Batusbatusan said they were told that Peruelo had no enemies, and even walked alone.*GPB

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