Gunman shoots dead Surigao councilor

BUTUAN CITY - An unidentified lone gunman shot dead a town councilor in San Miguel, Surigao del Sur Sunday night. A report from the regional office of the Philippine Information Agency identified the victim as Valentin Campos, councilor of San Miguel, Surigao del Sur. A sketchy report from Surigao del Sur Provincial Police Office said the victim was at a rice mill when an unidentified gunman with a .45 caliber pistol approached him and shot him point blank. The gunman reportedly fled from the crime scene aboard a motorcycle, with no plate number, and driven by an unidentified companion. The victim was brought to a nearby hospital but was pronounced dead upon arrival. According to the police, the councilor was active in telling his constituents to vote for the right candidates in the barangay and SK polls. Meanwhile, Surigao del Sur Provincial COMELEC officer Miriam Acosta reported that some ballot boxes intended for Surigao del Sur were delivered to Lanao del Sur. Acosta feared that due to the distance of Surigao del Sur from Lanao del Sur, the barangay and SK elections in some parts of the province may be moved to Tuesday. GMANEWS.TV attempted to confirm this with COMELEC Caraga Regional Director Francisco Pobe but he could not be reached as of posting time. –VVP, GMANews.TV