San Antonio, Nueva Ecija mayor survives ambush

San Antonio mayor Arvin Salonga survived an attack by gunmen while driving along  a bridge in Jaen, Nueva Ecija on Wednesday.

According to Chino Gaston’s report on “24 Oras,” CCTV footage showed the car carrying Salonga and his bodyguard speeding as motorcycle-riding gunmen fired  at them.  The suspects then immediately fled.

Salonga was unharmed, but his bodyguard was wounded after being grazed by a bullet.

“Ngayon pauwi na tayo, sabi niya, tulay ng Jaen. Bigla na nga lang may mga nagpaputok nga ng baril. Hindi ko naman alam na ‘yung sasakyan na pala natin ang binabaril,” Salonga said.

“May nakita akong mga sumusunod kaya ang tendency inanuhan ko, binilisan natin,” he added.

According to the initial investigation of police, 12 bullet shells were retrieved from the crime scene.

Salonga said the ambush attempt was not likely connected with politics, especially since he did not compete with anyone in the previous election.

“Nagkakalap pa tayo ng mga ibang eye witnesses na puwede nating makuhang witness. Tinututukan namin nang wala nang mangyaring ganito,” Police Colonel Marvin Joe Saro, NEPPO provincial director, said.—Joahna Lei Casilao/LDF, GMA News