Agusan del Sur town official, 3 others survive ambush

BUTUAN CITY, Philippines – The municipal administrator of La Paz, Agusan del Sur and three others survived an ambush while they were on their way to the provincial capitol in Prosperidad town last Friday, authorities said.

La Paz police chief Celso Acero said the group of municipal administrator Lauro Mordeno was fired at with M-16 Armalite rifles along the provincial road.

Mordeno sustained a gunshot wound on the right arm but was released upon treatment in a hospital here.

Also wounded in the ambush were Jocelyn Radana, executive assistant to La Paz Mayor Rafael Nuñez; municipal midwife Susan Mercado; and driver Ernesto Mercado.

Days before the incident, Mordeno reportedly figured in a verbal tussle with some wood traders.

La Paz is situated near the boundary of Agusan del Sur and Compostela Valley. It is more than 130 kilometers away from this city, the Caraga regional center.

Police were still clueless on the attempt on Mordeno’s life.