Brgy councilman, 3 “mayor’s men” survive ambush

A barangay councilman and three other known supporters of Tudela Mayor Demetrio Granada survived an ambush at a junction of McArthur Highway in the town Wednesday evening.

Tudela Police desk officer, SPO3 Edison Torres, identified the councilman as 29-year-old Ryan Estrera of barangay North Poblacion, who was riding a multicab with three others, Pablito Ocampo, Ruben Gonzales, and Rolito Mariamonte Jr. They were on their way to buy bread, for a wake at the barangay hall, when attacked.

Tudela’s chief of police Ramon Villar said a bullet hole was found on the left side of the multicab but the police recovered only one empty shell of a .45 caliber pistol because bystanders had already got some from the scene.

Villar said the victims surmised that the ambush was politically motivated, and suspected that a supporter of a politician, who was defeated by Granada in the last elections, was the alleged assailant.

Estrera complained to the police that it was a certain Erponito del Corro Jr, reportedly an aide of defeated mayor Rogelio Baquerfo, who did it.

Villar said Estrera’s camp has even planned to file charges against del Corro after evidences are gathered.  — Ferliza C. Contratista/RAE