2 supporters killed, 7 hurt in Silay City election day shooting

Two supporters of reelectionist Mayor Joedith Gallego in Silay City, Negros Occidental were killed and seven others were injured in a shooting incident on Election Day.

The victims were reportedly gathered near a local campaign area in Barangay Mambulac around 7 a.m. when assailants attacked them.

Barangay Chairman Arnie Benedicto of Lantad, Silay City, and three other unidentified individuals have been charged with murder and frustrated murder.

Benedicto surrendered to authorities and is currently in the custody of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.

Mayor Gallego condemned the incident as a "cowardly act," and Brig. Gen. Arnold Thomas Ibay, director of the Negros Island Region police, also condemned the attack.

Col. Rainerio de Chavez, provincial director of Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office, is leading the Special Investigation Task Group Silay in conducting a thorough investigation of the incident.