Village chief in Calamba shot dead

CALAMBA CITY: An acting barangay captain here was shot dead at his house in the early morning of Friday, January 19.

Police identified the victim as Mario Cogay, 65.

Based on the initial investigation, the victim was drinking coffee on the balcony of his house at Blk 52, Lot 8, Asia 2, Barangay Canlubang in this city, when unidentified assailants riding in tandem appeared in front of the gate and shot him several times.

The motorcycle driver was said to be wearing a black jacket, jeans and silver helmet, while the backrider wore a black helmet. The two suspects fled toward the direction of Asia 1 in Canlubang.

The victim’s live-in partner immediately sought the assistance of Barangay Canlubang and brought the victim to the Global Hospital of Canlubang. He was declared dead on arrival at about 6 a.m.

The scene of the crime operatives (SOCO) team was requested to process the crime scene.

Witnesses said the gunmen returned after a few minutes and finished off the victim with more shots.

Cogay’s relatives said the victim had received death threats since he was designated acting barangay captain.

LtCol. Arnel Pagulayan, Laguna police deputy director for operations, said a special investigation unit was created to look into the killing.

Cogay had topped the elections as a barangay council member in the October 30 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) last year.

He was not proclaimed along with the winning village chief Larry Dimayuga and three other barangay council members due to the disqualification cases filed against them for alleged premature campaigning.

The council member with the second-highest number of votes was named barangay officer in charge until Cogay could be cleared by the Commission on Elections.