Newly-elected village councilor gunned down in Pasay, suspect arrested

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 8) — A newly-elected village councilor was gunned down inside a barangay hall in Pasay City on Monday.

Police said Lina Camacho was fatally shot at 5:35 p.m. along San Juan Street by gunmen on a motorcycle.

CCTV footage showed the assailants arriving in front of the barangay hall, firing two shots that hit the victim's neck.

The councilor was rushed to the nearest hospital but was declared dead at 8 p.m. of the same day.

Camacho was a former longtime treasurer of Barangay 37 before she was elected as councilor in last month's polls. She was also reportedly involved in a money-lending business.

Police said business could be the primary motive, but they are not ruling out the possibility it may be linked to politics.

«She is well loved. 'Yung barangay kapitan na sinamahan niya was very close to her also. Wala kaming makitang masyasong away inside the barangay hall,» Pasay City police chief Mario Mayames Jr. said.

[Translation: She was well loved. The village chief was very close to her as well. We didn't see any serious disagreements inside the barangay hall.]

One of two suspects arrested

Pasay City police immediately arrested one of the suspects. He was identified as Vladimir del Valle Catubay.

Authorities said Catubay tipped police about the possible whereabouts of the gunman, but the information he gave was later found to be false.

«Bangag po 'yung tao. Kagabi, we cannot really talk to him properly at kitang-kita po sa mukha niya, sa mata niya 'yung very reddish. So, alam po namin na he's high on drugs,» Mayames said.

[Translation: The person was not in the right state of mind. We couldn't really talk to him properly last night and it was obvious on his face, his eyes were very reddish. He was high on drugs.]

Police have identified the remaining suspect but will not disclose details pending investigation.

Catubay is now detained at the Pasay City Police Station Custodial Facility. A murder complaint will be filed against him.

— With reports from CNN Philippines' correspondent Daniza Fernandez.