The municipal administrator of Pilar town in Capiz province was shot dead while doing an errand past 2:00 p.m. Saturday, May 1, in Barangay Lawaan, Roxas City.

Roxas City Police Station chief Lieutenant Colonel Ricardo Jomuad Jr. said the victim was identified as 54-year-old John Heredia, a resident of San Jose Ville, Barangay Tiza in the said city.

Initial investigation revealed that the victim was about to enter his car when the gunman shot him.

Jomuad said Heredia sustained multiple gunshot wounds, with fatal one on his head. He was rushed to the Capiz Doctor’s Hospital where he was declared dead-on-arrival.

According to the witnesses, the suspect was wearing a face mask and a gray hooded jacket and fled onboard a red Bajaj motorcycle.

Jomuad added that Heredia’s killing must be related to his being an active supporter of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ECLAC) program in the town.

In an interview, Pilar Mayor Arnold Perez was shocked by the murder of Heredia. He said he could not recall any instances where Heredia mentioned about any threat on his life. He described him as active in his job.

Meanwhile, Atty. Criselda Azarcon-Heredia, wife of the slain municipal administrator, confirmed that his husband received death threats./WDJ