A LEADER of one of the militant groups in Pangasinan was shot and wounded Tuesday night in barangay Puelay, Villasis town.

The victim was identified as Mariano Sepnio, 45, vice chairman of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) who is also an employee of the Villasis Water District.

Sepnio was walking alone along a road after alighting from his owner-type jeep that ran out of gas when the suspects, aboard a slow-moving motorcycle, opened fire, hitting him on the buttock.

The victim was first brought to the Villasis Polymedic Hospital before he was transferred to the Sacred Heart Hospital in Urdaneta City for surgical operations.

The suspects fled south towards Carmen, Rosales.

Policemen recovered two empty shells of Caliber 45 pistol a few meters away from the crime scene. Police Chief Jimmy Agtarap said motive for the shooting was not yet determined. (PNA)