3 killed, Laguna dad wounded in ambush

LAGUNA, Philippines – A councilor of Alaminos town this province was wounded while his three male companions were killed in an ambush after they had come from a cockfight Monday night, authorities said.

The three fatalities were James Briz, 46, his brother Emerson, 41, and cousin Nelson, 57, while Alaminos councilor Lino Zuniga was wounded and rushed to the San Pablo City Medical Hospital but was later transferred to the Philippine General Hospital, said Senior Superintendent Pascual Muñoz, Laguna police director.

Muñoz said Zuniga, together with the Brizes, had just come from the Fantastic cockfight arena and was on his way home on board a Mitsubishi Lancer when suspected hired killers, aboard a motorcycle, with an unlicensed Toyota Corolla serving as back-up, waylaid him along Del Pilar Street in the Alaminos town proper at 10:45 p.m. Monday.

Probers were eyeing revenge as possible motive, as the real target could be James Briz, not Zuñiga.