Manila ex-councilor survives ambush

A former Manila councilor and his family survived an ambush yesterday at a Sta. Cruz, Manila intersection by two motorcycle-riding assailants but his daughter and their family driver were wounded after the assailants emptied an entire pistol magazine into their moving van.

Former Binondo councilor Chika Go, his wife, mother, and son were unharmed but his 17-year-old daughter, Donna, suffered a gunshot wound in the stomach, while driver Ricardo Rafols, 30, sustained a bullet wound in the neck. Both are being treated at the Chinese General Hospital. Their condition could not be ascertained as of press time.

Sta. Cruz police commander Superintendent Bernado Diaz said the motive for the attack remains unknown as Go and the witnesses are yet to give their statements. He said the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has also joined the probe.

"There were reports that the motive could only be either political or business-related, we are yet to find out," said Diaz. The Sta. Cruz police commander could not say what business the councilor, defeated in the 1998 elections, was involved in.

Based on the police investigation, the ambush occurred about 9:15 a.m. when the two assailants, riding tandem on a motorcycle, blocked the Go family's Mercedez Benz van (UPS-308) along Maria Clara street upon reaching the Dimasalang intersection. The family, residing at Reina Regente street, Binondo, was reportedly on their way to an Evangelical church in Quezon City when attacked.

The assailant riding at the back of the driver got off and fired at least eight bullets from his caliber .45 pistol. Three bullets shattered the windshield on the side of the driver while five more bullets hit the front of the van hitting Go's daughter sitting on the front seat.

Go, his wife Corazon, mother Su Kin Go, and son Chloe were in the middle and back seats of the van, were unharmed. The attackers escaped towards the nearby North Cemetery.

Witnesses described the gunman as Chinese mestizo, medium built, and about 5'7 tall. Their motorcycle was described as a red Camel type with plate number PT 7944.