2 days before end of gun ban, barangay chairman ambushed in Angeles City

ANGELES CITY, Philippines – Two days before the end of the gun ban imposed by the Commission on Elections, the chairman of Barangay Amsic here survived an ambush by motorcycle-riding men Tuesday afternoon, June 11.

A report by Colonel Narvin Mangune, acting city police director, identified the victim as Ronnie Dela Cruz Rogando, 41, the incumbent barangay captain of Amsic village.

Rogando sustained bullet wounds in his upper chest, left arm and left lower rib, but was in stable condition. He was rushed to a nearby hospital after the ambush.

The election gun ban, which prohibits bearing, carrying, and transporting firearms, explosives, and other deadly weapons, was from January 13 to June 12.

Investigation showed that Rogando was driving his Honda BRV car on his way to the barangay hall when, upon reaching the gate of Plaridel II subdivision in Barangay Anunas, a man wearing a motorcycle helmet suddenly pointed a pistol at him and opened fire. The bullets pierced the car’s windshield, left window and right door.

After firing several shots, the gunman fled, boarded a waiting motorcycle driven by another person, and sped off.

Crime investigators found 9 spent .45 caliber shells at the ambush scene. A deformed fired bullet was also recovered embedded at the left portion of the vehicle’s windshield.

Police are still trying to identify the attackers and the possible motives behind the ambush. – Rappler.com