Rhoyden Matt Clarence Flores. (Photo lifted from Flores's Facebook Page)
PIKIT, North Cotabato – A candidate for village councilor for next month’s Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections was shot dead by still unidentified assailants in Barangay Takepan here Wednesday afternoon.
Rhoyden Matt Clarence Flores, 36, was buying vegetables at a roadside store in Barangay Takepen at 5 p.m. when one of two men shot him several times from behind, Maj. Arvin John Cambang, Pikit municipal police chief, said.
Flores, who was seeking a seat in the Barangay Council of Takepan, died on the spot from bullet wounds in the head and body.
Authorities found empty shells for a .45-caliber pistol at the crime scene.
Police are still determining if the killing was related to the upcoming polls or his involvement in village peacekeeping duties.
Flores was the second aspirant for village election slain in a gun attack in North Cotabato the past 11 days following the filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs) for the BSKE.
On Aug. 28, gunmen shot dead Haron Dimalanis, 50, a candidate for village chair of Barangay Malingao, Midsayap town, after submitting his COCs. His aide was also injured. (PNA)
