Nueva Ecija bet, brod shot

STA. ROSA, Nueva Ecija — The official vice mayoral candidate of the ruling Lakas-CMD (Christian-Muslim Democrats) party here and his elder brother were critically wounded when an unidentified man shot them in front of their house last Wednesday night, police said.

Police said Amando Sapiandante Jr., 41, and his brother, Armando, sustained bullet wounds in the neck and right leg, respectively.

The two brothers were rushed to the Doctors’ Hospital in Cabanatuan City and later transferred to a hospital in Manila.

Sapiandante is the running mate of businessman Antonio Romero, who is challenging re-electionist Mayor Marlon Marcelo of the Bagong Lakas ng Nueva Ecija (Balane) party. Romero lost to Marcelo in the 2001 elections.

SPO3 Armando Santiago, officer on case, said Armando was talking to a certain Relucio in front of their house in Barangay Del Pilar at about 7:45 p.m. when two motorcycle-riding men, their faces covered with handkerchiefs, appeared.

One of the two men pointed to Armando, after which the other pulled out a gun and shot the vice mayoral bet’s brother in the right leg.

Hearing the gunfire, Sapiandante rushed out of the house and he was shot, too.

Superintendent Marlon Bingcang, police station commander, said probers were looking into different angles and already have cartographic sketches of the two motorcycle-riding men.

Police found nine empty shells — two from a caliber .30 carbine and seven from a caliber .45 pistol — and one live caliber .45 bullet. — With Ric Sapnu