The Word

A lone gunman killed Philippine Congressman Moises Espinosa on the island province of Masbate shortly after he arrived by plane from Manila, congressional and military sources said. No immediate arrests were reported. Early reports said that up to five assailants attacked Espinosa, but family members later said it was a single gunman equipped with a semiautomatic rifle. Espinosa was the first member of Congress to be slain since President Corazon Aquino took office in February, 1986. He ran as an independent but later joined the Struggle of the Democratic Filipino, which favors Aquino.