Brgy chief survives slay try

ILOILO CITY, Philippines  — A barangay captain in Passi City, Iloilo survived an apparent assassination attempt, and sustained only a gunshot injury on his left foot.

Rizal Padernal, 40, of Tagubong village, Passi City, was on his way home around 8 p.m. last Sunday when his two assailants waylaid him at Barangay Salngan, which is about 15 kilometers from Passi City.

The two unidentified men allegedly called him out while he was driving his motorcycle. One of them shouted at him, "Balik di anay, Kap." (Kap, turn back.)

This prompted the victim to slow down. At that juncture, one of the assailants shot him with an undetermined caliber firearm. Wounded, he sped off heading home and asked for help.

He was then brought to the D.O. Valerio Palmares Memorial District Hospital for treatment but was later referred to the Iloilo Provincial Hospital in Pototan town.

Senior Inspector Elmer Magbanua, Passi City Police chief, said their initial investigation showed that Padernal has not received any threat on his life prior to the incident.

The victim also said he did not know his assailants but could identify them through their faces only. Investigators have also yet to determine the motive of the incident. (FREEMAN)