Mayoral bet’s convoy ambushed; 2 killed

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — Gunmen ambushed an 11-vehicle convoy of a mayoral candidate, killing a village chairman and a driver, and wounding another in Pilar, Abra on Friday afternoon.

The fatalities were identified as Froilan Bueno, chief of Barangay Quillat in Langiden town, and his cousin Kevin Bueno.

Responding police officers found Kevin dead with a gunshot to the head in a sport utility vehicle parked at the scene of the attack.

Froilan suffered a gunshot wound in the abdomen. He was declared dead on arrival in a hospital.

Their companion, Sonny Bisares, was taken to the Seares Hospital in Bangued for treatment of a gunshot wound in the leg.

Reports said the target of the attack was former Languiden town mayor Artemio Donato Jr., who is running for mayor of Pidigan in the May 12 elections.

The Cordillera police said Donato and his companions were headed to Villaviciosa town when they were attacked in Sitio Palicad, Barangay Poblacion.

Probers said Donato was not harmed in the incident.

Lt. Col. Carol Lacuata, information officer of the Cordillera police, said a manhunt was launched for the gunmen.

Meanwhile, in Tawi-Tawi, a campaign manager of a mayoral candidate was killed in an attack by unidentified assailants in Tandubas town on Friday.

Habib Jamir was walking in Barangay Himba when he was killed, according to Bangsamoro police director Brig. Gen. Juan Macapaz.

Jamir was reportedly the campaign manager of mayoral candidate Rhomar Matolo.

Probers have yet to determine if the killing was politically motivated. — Jun Elias, John Unson