Masbate vice mayor killed in QC ambush

MANILA, Philippines –  The vice mayor of a town in Masbate province was killed in an ambush by two men riding tandem on a motorcycle in Quezon City yesterday afternoon.

Aroroy, Masbate Vice Mayor Vicente Maristela died due to at least five gunshot wounds in the body.

Quezon City Police District director Chief Superintendent Benjardi Mantele said the ambush took place at around 2:30 p.m. along San Francisco street in Barangay Sauyo, West Fairview.

Mantele said Maristela was driving his Chevrolet van with his wife and a child on board when the motorcycle-riding men shot him several times.

“Witnesses said the gunmen drew up to the victim’s van and shot him,” Mantele told The STAR. 

Investigators are still looking into the motive behind the attack, but theorized that the killers were from the victim’s hometown.

“We are ruling out robbery since the attackers did not take anything from the victim and did not harm his wife and kid,” Mantele said.

The Quezon City police said they will coordinate with the Masbate police to check the background of the victim and who could be behind the attack.

“We have not talked with the wife and child, we cannot get the description of the attackers,” Mantele said.

Mantele said Maristela served as mayor of Aroroy and after serving three consecutive terms, he ran and won as vice mayor.

Police are also looking into reports that the members of the New People’s Army are linked to the ambush.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) intensified its campaign against motorcycle-riding attackers following upsurge of crime incidents committed by criminals on motorcycles.

In Metro Manila, at least nine police commanders have been relieved for failing to stop motorcycle-riding criminals.