LTO executive hurt in ambush

MANILA, Philippines - An executive of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) survived an ambush attempt near his house in Quezon City yesterday morning.

Policemen are eyeing what they said was a possible rivalry over an LTO post for which Camilo Guarin, 61, LTO-National Capital Region assistant director, is reportedly a candidate.

A police report stated that three men appeared just as Guarin’s government-issued Mitsubishi Adventure was cruising Doña Juliana street in Doña Carmen subdivision, 150 meters away from his house, at around 8:30 a.m.

One of the men pulled out a .45 caliber handgun and fired shots at the vehicle before walking away from the scene.

Superintendent Franklin Moises Mabanag, chief of the Quezon City Police District-Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit, said Guarin survived despite suffering two gunshot wounds in the chest and another near the groin.

Guarin’s driver, Roman Zuñiga, was unhurt.

Guarin was brought to the FEU Hospital and was already in stable condition as of yesterday afternoon, he said.

“He (Guarin) was able to survive, because I think the positioning of the suspects made the wounds from the shots the gunman fired not fatal,” Mabanag told reporters in an interview. The gunman, he added, fired from the front right side of the vehicle.

Superintendent Gerardo Ratuita, deputy chief of the QCPD-CIDU, said the suspects could have studied Guarin’s routine since he was attacked so near his house and along his usual route.

Based on statements made by Guarin’s wife, the victim is reportedly among the candidates to assume the post of regional director at LTO. “Although there was no prior threat made against him, we are looking into this possible angle,” Ratuita said.

According to Mabanag, there were also reports that Guarin owns a gasoline station in Payatas. He said they would also look into the possibility that the attack may have been perpetrated by former employees.

Witnesses said the suspects were on foot but Mabanag said the assailants may have parked their vehicle nearby.