RP congressman assassinated

RP congressman assassinated

MANILA (Reuter): A member of the Philippine House of Representatives was shot dead outside the legislature just meters from a police post, police said yesterday.

Tito Espinosa, a former judge representing the island province of Masbate just south of Luzon, was shot three times at close range on Tuesday night.

Police said Espinosa, 49, was traveling in a van with several other people.

The gunman walked up to the van when it stopped at an intersection near a police post and opened fire. The politician died in a Manila hospital during surgery. None of his companions was hurt.

"We have not established any motive. It could be related to the coming election or it may be a result of an old grudge," police investigator Rafael de Peralta said.