2 bodyguards killed in ambush; Ilocos mayor-elect unhurt

Two bodyguards of a mayor-elect of Ilocos Norte were killed while a driver was injured during an ambush Monday afternoon. Radio dzRH reported Tuesday that armed men fired at the vehicle of Pagudpud Mayor-elect Matilde Sales at around 4:30 p.m. while she was on her way to Laoag City. Killed in the incident were Sales' bodyguards initially identified as Mario Monje and Bertopel Calepena, both sustained gunshot wounds in the head and body. Monje died on the spot while Calepena died while being treated at a nearby hospital, the report said. Vehicle driver Manolito Rangasan was wounded in the hand but managed to drive to a nearby police station to ask for help. On the other hand, Sales, a radio reporter and another bodyguard were unhurt, as they dropped to the floor of the vehicle after hearing gunshots. Initial investigation showed the assailants opened fire on Sales' vehicle as it passed a mountainous part of the road. Police recovered from the scene seven shells of an M-16 rifle. They said at least "two to four" men may have been involved in the attack. A separate report on dzBB radio said the incident occurred near the boundary of Bangui and Burgos towns. "Tinambangan ang mayor ng Pagudpud somewhere sa Burgos, natamaan ang dalawang escorts niya. Hindi nasaktan ang alkalde (The mayor was ambushed in Burgos and two escorts were hit. The mayor was unhurt)," Ilocos Norte police Chief Senior Superintendent Ulysses Abellera said. Police are looking at politics as a motive behind the incident. — LBG, GMANews.TV