Caloocan councilor's brother, nephew ambushed

MANILA, Philippines - A former barangay captain and his 12-year-old son were critically wounded in a high-noon ambush yesterday in Caloocan City.

Chief Superintendent Samuel Pagdilao, Northern Police District (NPD) director, identified the victims as Walter Abel, 44, and his son James, 12, both residents of 11th Avenue, also in Caloocan City.

Pagdilao said Walter, brother of Caloocan City Councilor Chito Abel, is a former chairman of Barangay 90. Walter’s wife, Marife, is the incumbent barangay chair.

The victims had just alighted from their car near their house on Ma. Clara street in 11th Avenue, when they were attacked by two men riding in tandem on a motorcycle at around 12:15 p.m., Pagdilao said.

The father was hit in the stomach while his son was hit in the head. Despite his wound, Walter, also armed with a handgun, fired back and hit one of their attackers, identified as Noel Castillo.

Castillo, a resident of Sariaya, Quezon province, died at the President Diosdado Macapagal Memorial Medical Center while being treated for his bullet wounds.

His cohort was able to flee aboard their getaway motorcycle without license plate.

“A .9mm pistol was recovered from the slain suspect but we are still verifying his true identity because many identification cards were recovered from him,” Pagdilao told The STAR. “But we have already a good lead here.”

The Abels were brought for treatment at the Manila Central University (MCU) hospital. Pagdilao said the condition of the two victims have improved and “the father was already declared out of danger by the doctors.”

He said that a thorough investigation is being conducted to establish the motive for the failed slay attempt.

“Whether it is personal or the suspects were hired guns, we are still investigating,” Pagdilao said.

Meanwhile, Maximo Simbulan, reportedly a military agent, was shot dead by about 10 unidentified armed men early morning yesterday in Caloocan City North.

“He was gunned down at around 5 a.m. in Acfel Subdivision in Caloocan City North,” Pagdilao said.

He said the police were still verifying yesterday whether Simbulan is a legitimate military agent, based on an ID recovered from him.

Pagdilao also directed Caloocan City police chief Senior Superintendent Jude Santos to double checkpoints and patrols in his area because of the rising incidence of shootings over the past few days.