Cagayan judge hurt, driver killed in ambush

TUGUEGARAO CITY — A Municipal Trial Court judge survived an ambush in Baggao, Cagayan the other day, the police said. His driver, though, was killed in the attack.

Senior Superintendent James Melad, provincial police director, said MTC Judge Nathaniel Pattugalan and his driver, Antonio de la Cruz, were waylaid on an isolated stretch of the provincial road in Barangay Masikal, Baggao town, some three hours from this capital city, at about 2 p.m. last Thursday.

Melad said De la Cruz, a resident of Camalanuigan town, died on the spot due to multiple gunshot wounds.

Pattugalan, who was obviously the target, suffered minor gunshot wounds on the head, Melad said.

"Judge Pattugalan even managed to trade shots (with the ambushers using) his caliber .45 pistol," he told The STAR.

At least 15 M-16 and M-14 empty shells were found at the ambush site.

Pattugalan was on his way to Tuguegarao City from the Baggao town proper, where he had presided over a court hearing, when the ambush took place.

Melad refused to disclose the possible motives behind the attack, saying the investigation was still ongoing.