Zambales town mayor survives gun attack

CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga, Philippines – The mayor of Iba, Zambales and four others were wounded while two of his bodyguards were killed when at least six men fired at them Saturday night, police said.

Chief Superintendent Leon Nilo de la Cruz, Central Luzon police director, said Iba Mayor Danilo Pamoleras and his civilian bodyguards were having a drinking spree in front of his farm in Sitio Calagit, Barangay Dirita when they were shot with M-16 Armalite rifles at around 7:15 p.m.

De la Cruz identified the slain bodyguards as Bernie Aragon and Malvar Gamayan, who was killed on the spot.

He said Pamoleras and his wounded aides were rushed to the President Magsaysay Memorial Hospital in Iba town.

In a report to the regional police command, Senior Superintendent Roland Felix, Zambales police director, said Pamoleras only sustained a slight wound as Gamayan and Aragon covered him with their bodies.

The mayor’s four wounded bodyguards, identified as Ruben Maohay, Milanio Abadam, Herson Nebres and Joseph Contreras, were reported to be in stable condition, Felix said.

De la Cruz said police have launched pursuit operation against the gunmen who fled on three motorcycles.

He said police promptly coordinated with the Army’s 24th Infantry Battalion to possibly block the attackers in Barangay Sta. Barbara, Iba town.

Police were still investigating the motive behind the shooting.