Village exec killed, 6 others hurt in Ilocos ambush

(Updated 5:51 p.m.) A village chief was killed while six of her companions were injured in a predawn ambush in Ilocos Norte on Monday. In an interview with radio dzBB, Senior Superintendent Benjamin Lusad, Ilocos Norte police chief, identified the fatality as Joen Caniete, 36. Caniete was the Nacionalista Party’s candidate for councilor in Dingras, according to the party spokesman and senatorial bet Gilbert Remulla. Provincial board member Dr. Robert de Castro sustained cuts in the hand from the shattered glass. Councilor Jimboy Albano, Senior Police Officer 2 Cesar Sabado, Joel Rosqueta, Fernando Sebastian and Gaudencio Teodoro were also wounded in the incident. All are in stable condition. Also in the convoy was Barangay Chairman Joefrey Saguid, NP’s mayoralty bet in Dingras. He was unarmed. Lusad said the victims, who just came from a Christmas party, were passing San Esteban village in Dingras town at around 1 a.m. when attacked. The victims were on board a four-vehicle convoy. Recovered from the area were empty M-16 shells. Lusad refused to say if the incident was election-related or politically motivated. He also declined to give details of their findings, saying it may preempt the investigation. “It’s too early to tell. Kinocover namin ang possible angles (We are covering all the possible angles for the) motive and once we finalize this, we’ll do a press release," he said. In a press statement, Remulla said the culture of impunity which have enveloped the land, from the Mendiola and Hacienda Luisita massacres to that of the Maguindanao massacre, has emboldened political opponents of the NP in Ilocos to act boldly and commit such a heinous act. “The Nacionalista vows justice for the victims as we search for swift and comprehensive solutions to end political violence and the culture of impunity. We also call and challenge all political parties and candidates for the 2010 elections to help in establishing clean, honest, and peaceful elections as we move the country forward to peace and prosperity," he said. Ilocos Norte is not on the Philippine National Police's initial list of potential election hotspots for the 2010 elections. On an earlier list of the PNP are the provinces of Abra, Nueva Ecija, Lanao del Sur, Lanao del Norte, Sulu, Maguindanao, Basilan, Masbate and Samar. - with Amita Legaspi/LBG, GMANews.TV