MisOc vice-mayor escapes ambush try, 2 wounded

A town official escaped unharmed while her two companions were injured in an ambush in the town of Don Victoriano Chiongbian, Misamis Occidental.

Escaping the attempt on her life was Vice Mayor Annabelle Boza-Hamoy of Don Victoriano Chiongbian.

Wounded were Hamoy’s driver Danny Rabago and Titing Luna, a security escort.

Senior Supt. Leony Roy Ga, police provincial director, said that the ambush occurred around 1:30 p.m. Monday in Barangay Tuno, Don Victoriano Chiongbian town.

Ga said investigation showed that Hamoy’s vehicle was moving on a blind curve when unidentified gunmen shot at them, injuring Rabago.

He said that Luna, who was driving the lead motorcycle, was also hit.

He said Hamoy and her companions were traveling to Josefina, Zamboanga del Sur at the time of the incident.

Ga has ordered Chief Insp. Edgar Tonico, Don Victoriano Chiongbian police chief, to thoroughly investigate the incident noting the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has declared the town as an area of concern.

The declaration was based on the two previous elections in 2010 and 2013, when election-related incidents were recorded.

Don Victoriano Chiongbian Mayor Rodolfo Luna, who is also the president of this province’s League of Municipalities, has called for an independent investigation of the ambush.

In an interview over DXDD-AM, Luna said he could not think of any other reason for the attempt on the life of the vice mayor. “It is politically motivated.” He said, adding that he had received also threats of his life.