Barangay chairman shot dead in Batangas

FILE: Marlon Luancing, barangay chairman of Barangay Antipolo del Sur and the president of the Association of Barangay Captains (ABC) of Lipa City. (Photo: Marlon Mayo Luancing/Facebook)

A village chief was killed on Friday evening, December 28, in Lipa City, Batangas while he was inside a cockpit arena.

The victim was identified as Marlon Luancing, barangay chairman of Barangay Antipolo del Sur and the president of the Association of Barangay Captains (ABC) of Lipa City.

It was reported that Luancing was at the Lipa Games and Amusement Complex in Barangay Balintawak, where a cockfight was being held when he was shot dead by unidentified gunmen at around 8 p.m.

According to an ABS-CBN report, those who were watching the cockfight heard gunshots, which they thought were only firecrackers.

It added that people only started panicking when a man, covered in blood, went up to the cockpit ring.

Luancing was then brought to a hospital, but the victim was declared dead on arrival.

The police have yet to determine the motive and the suspects behind the killing.

In July, Romel Luancing, ex-councilor of Barangay Antipolo del Sur, was shot by unidentified gunmen on board a motorcycle while he was talking to a former barangay official.

The former councilor was rushed to a hospital but was declared dead on arrival after he sustained gunshot wounds in different parts of his body.