Former councilor survives ambush in Batangas

A former municipal councilor landed in the hospital after he sustained gunshot wounds when his vehicle was shot at on the highway in Barangay Calansayan, San Jose, Batangas.

The victim, Ronald 'Bong' Apritado, 56, was hit in different parts of his body and was immediately transported to a nearby hospital.

Apritado was on his way to the municipal hall to attend the flag-raising ceremony when the incident happened, according to Police Major Amadeo Baby Estrella, chief of the San Jose Police Station.

"From his residence, papunta siya ng munisipyo to attend the flag raising ceremony, although hindi na siya councilor, but uma-attend pa rin siya ng flag raising kasama ho 'yung empleyado ho doon," Estrella said.

The passenger's side window of the vehicle was shattered, and several bullet casings were found at the crime scene.

Witnesses said that the victim managed to drive the vehicle a few meters away from the shooting site before coming to a stop.

Authorities are now probing the incident, with a potential suspect on a motorcycle being looked into.

"From the looks ng mga shells ay nine-millimeter at ang na-recover naming mga shells is walo. Ayon sa information namin, nasa stable condition na ito [na biktima]," Estrella said.

As of this writing, Apritado is still recovering in the hospital. — GMA Regional TV