Police chief in Sarangani relieved over mayor's ambush

MANILA, Philippines - For failing to secure the area where the late Maitum town mayor in Sarangani province was ambushed last Friday, a police chief was relieved by his superior.

Police Regional Office 12 director Chief Superintendent Lester Camba ordered the relief of Senior Inspector Arnold Montesa for failure to secure the late Mayor George McPherson Perrett.

Chief Supt. Lester Camba, Region 12 police director, said Tuesday he ordered the relief of Sr. Insp. Arnold Montesa as Maitum police chief for failing to properly secure the Perrett.

Camba said Montesa could have properly coordinated with the military to secure and clear Sitio Bugo, Brgy. Malalag before the mayor's vehicle passed the area Friday night despite Perrett's refusal to have a police escorts.

Last Friday, Perrett, his wife Elsie and five aides were on their way home to Barangay Kalaong in Maitum around 10:30 p.m. when they were ambushed by unidentified gunmen.

The mayor and his companions were on their way home after attending an arts and culture event in  Maitum, reports said.

The mayor, who was then driving a sports utility vehicle, and another aide were hit on the leg but Elsie,  a former three-term mayor of Maitum, and their four other companions were unharmed, the reports added.

Perrett was rushed to the St. Elizabeth Hospital here for treatment but died of cardiac arrest due to severe loss of blood around 2:30 a.m. on Saturday.

He said most of the shots that were fired during the ambush were directed at the driver’s side of the vehicle where Perrett was seated.

Police recovered from the crime scene 13 empty shells from an M-16 armalite rifle, two from a .45-caliber pistol, and another from a 12-gauge shotgun.

Police are now investigating the incident.

Meanwhile, Sarangani Governor Steve Chiongbian-Solon and lone district Rep. Emmanuel Pacquiao condemned the ambush on Perrett, calling on authorities  to get the local executive's assassins.

Perrett is a close ally and party mate of Pacquiao in the People’s Champ Movement.