CABANATUAN CITY, Philippines – Nueva Ecija A member of the Sangguniang Pambayan of Licab town in this province survived an ambush when two motorcycle-riding men peppered the vehicle he and two Bantay Bayan members were riding in on Thursday afternoon here, police reported.
However, police said the Bantay Bayan member driving the black Isuzu DMAX died during the shooting incident. Motive behind the attack was not immediately known although police has not discounted politics. Supt. Ely Depra, Licab police chief, identified the fatality as Homer Sawit y Ramos, 27, a Bantay Bayan member of Barangay San Casimiro, Licab town.
He was pronounced dead on arrival at the Premiere Hospital here. The victim was on board the black Isuzu DMAX together with San Casimiro Barangay Captain Albert Caraang, 35, president of the Association of Barangay Captains (ABC) of Licab town and member of the Sangguniang Pambayan; and Jessie Diaz, 51, another Bantay Bayan member, when the incident occured.
Investigation showed that at about 2:10 p.m. Thursday, the three were in the middle of heavy traffic on Cantarilla Street in Barangay Valdefuente near the Gen. Luna Bridge when two armed men on board a Honda TMX motorcycle stopped near driver’s side and shot the occupants. (Mark Anthony N. Manuel)