Ilocos mayor-elect survives ambush; aides killed

CAMP FLORENDO, La Union , Philippines  – The elected mayor of Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte has survived an ambush on Monday afternoon but her two escorts were killed and one was injured in the attack staged by unidentified suspects along the boundary of Burgos and Bangui towns.  

Superintendent Raul Romero, chief of the publication information office here, identified the fatalities as Mario Monje and Fertopel Caletena, both aides of Mayor-elect Matilde Sales.

Sales was unhurt in the attack along with two other companions while the driver of the van, a certain Manolito Rangasan, was wounded and was brought for treatment at the Gov. Roque Ablan Sr. Memorial Hospital. 

Romero, quoting reports from authorities in Ilocos Norte, said the incident happened at around 5 p.m. while Sales’ group, on board a van, was traveling the highway at a mountainous area between the boundary of Bangui and Burgos when the assailants fired at them with M16 Armalite rifle.  

Police said the suspects fled immediately while investigators recovered seven empty shells of M16 at the crime scene. 

Romero said motive of the incident is still unknown and police have launched intensified checkpoints in the area.   – With Teddy Molina