Wounded suspect key to solving ambush try on ex-cop

MANILA, Philippines - One of at least five men who staged the ambush attempt on retired senior superintendent Wally Sombero was injured in the incident and he could be the lead that could result in the breakthrough in the investigation on the incident, police said yesterday.

Sombero spokesman, lawyer Freddie Villamor, said a policeman who was with his client at the time of the ambush attempt was able to retaliate during the incident and hit one of the suspects, believed to have been “critically wounded.”

“Now we’re trying to locate this man if ever he will seek medical attention,” said Superintendent Gerardo Ratuita, head of the Quezon City Police District-Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit.

Ratuita said this would be the lead they are trying to pursue since no one was able to take note of the license plates of the vehicles used by the suspects.

Sombero said he was “facing a blank wall” as to the identities of the suspects and “mulling over the identity of the possible masterminds in the attack.”

According to Villamor, there were at least five men who staged the attack – four men on two motorcycles and another one on board a sedan “who was trying to block” the Hyundai Starex carrying Sombero.

Ratuita also released yesterday an artist sketch of the man on board the sedan who was described to be below 40 years old, slim built, between 5’4” to 5’5” in height, with fair complexion and wore a pair of glasses, blue barong and black pants.

According to Villamor, Sombero was “doing well” as of yesterday despite waiting for another operation to remove the remaining bullet still embedded in his body. Sombero sustained six bullet wounds.

Sombero is the chairman of the board of two family-owned corporations, the UnderGround Studio Inc. and the Khunkai Realty and Development Corp., and is the senior gaming consultant of Premier Entertainment Philippines Inc.

Sombero also serves as the chief executive officer of Foxfind Corp. and chief operating officer of BB International Resort and Leisure Development Corp., a foreign-owned company engaged in development of gaming interests.

Sombero’s camp also said last Saturday’s attack could not be linked at the moment to the double-murder case of publicist Bubby Dacer and his driver, Emmanuel Corbito.

“We can’t say anything yet. Let’s not speculate,” Villamor added.

Sombero’s son Bryan also said he does not know of any instance in the past when his father received a threat to his life.           – Reinir Padua