By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

An ambush by armed men yesterday in Barangay Lopez Jaena, Murcia in Negros Occidental claimed the lives of a Don Salvador Benedicto town councilor and two others.
Police identified the fatalities as Town Councilor Eden Bacordo, his girlfriend Lea Mae Saldoa, and his bodyguard Arnold Larida.
According to eyewitness reports, the victims were having breakfast at the home of a certain Jinki Piniano. Bacordo reportedly stepped out of the residence, where he was met by three unidentified men wearing bonnets, armed with an M16 assault rifle and an M1 Garand rifle.
The local official fled and ran into the house, where he was followed by the three suspects, who opened fire and killed the three victims.
Witnesses also claimed the suspects shot each victim in the head before leaving the scene.
Murcia municipal police are still conducting an investigation into the incident./WDJ