Vizcaya lawyer survives another ambush; 3 bodyguards killed

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya — A prominent lawyer here, who survived a slay attempt last year, cheated death again when at least six armed men ambushed him and his four security aides in Villaverde town yesterday morning.

However, three bodyguards of lawyer Virgil Castro were killed in the ambush, and the fourth one was in critical condition at the Veterans Regional Hospital here, some 20 kilometers away from Villaverde town where the incident took place at about 9:30 a.m.

Castro survived the attack with only a superficial bullet wound in his back, according to Inspector Nicacio Mendoza, Villaverde police chief.

The 53-year-old Castro was rushed to the Medical Mission Group Hospital in his hometown of Solano. His driver-aide, Joseph Taculog, 41, also survived the attack.

One of his slain security aides, Pedro Ambatali, 52, sustained at least five bullet wounds. He covered Castro with his body inside their van during the attack.

Ambatali’s cousin Arsenio, 47, did not reach the hospital alive, while Andrew Iyadan, 39, died on the spot from multiple gunshot wounds.

Castro, a former president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines’ local chapter, was on his way to a court hearing in Villaverde when they were waylaid along an isolated stretch of the Villaverde-Solano road.

Four of the ambushers were aboard an XLT passenger-type vehicle, and the other two were riding in a motorcycle.

Police said Castro’s Hyundai Grace van was riddled with bullets of M-16 Armalite and other firearms.

Senior Superintendent Jesus Manubay, Nueva Vizcaya police director, said, "We have suspects in mind but we cannot divulge them now. It may derail our investigation."

On July 18 last year, Castro was attacked by two motorcycle-riding gunmen in Barangay Osmeña, Solano, about 50 meters away from his residence, after attending a court hearing in the capital town of Bayombong. The case remains unsolved.

Castro is one of the most-sought after trial lawyers here. He has handled a number of controversial cases, including the kidnap-slaying of Allan Que, graft and corruption cases against government officials and drug-related ones.