American survives slay attempt

KORONADAL CITY — Unidentified men fired at an American national as he was on his way to the city proper Sunday night, police said.

"We are still (investigating) the incident. We are looking into the possible involvement of a gun-for-hire group. We are also pursuing the angles of car theft and kidnapping," said Superintendent Florendo Quidilla, city police chief, on the attack on Edward Lane Stevens, a resident of Agan North Subdivision in Barangay Morales here.

Stevens was cruising along the highway in Barangay Paraiso when occupants of an L-300 van tailing his car fired at him with shotguns.

Stevens continued driving, drew his caliber .45 pistol and fired back, forcing his attackers to withdraw. — Ramil Bajo