Voter shot dead in Zambales

By Karen Pastor

A 40-year-old man was shot dead by a municipal employee while waiting for his turn to vote at a
polling precinct in Zambales Monday afternoon.

The victim, Ernesto Tapado, who was next in line to vote, complained when a man suddenly cut
in line even though his name was not yet called which also caused the other voters to react
negatively.

Reports from Police Regional Office 3 in Zambales revealed that the incident occurred at 1:00 in
the afternoon at the polling precinct of Felipe Estella Elementary School in Barangay Balogonan,
Masinloc, Zambales.

The Barangay councilor, Ricardo Caroc, advised the victim to go back to his seat to avoid any
conflict. The victim agreed and went back to the waiting area.

The suspect, who was identified as Antonio Estella, followed the victim and said “Bakit ka kasi
nakikialam,” which provoked Tapado to confront Estella. The suspect was angered and
immediately shot the victim then left on board a motorcycle.

The victim was rushed to the Candelaria District Hospital for medical attention but was
pronounced dead on arrival by the attending physician.