Ambushed city engineer suspects Bulacan mayor

MANILA, Philippines – The city engineer of San Jose del Monte City in Bulacan, who recently survived an ambush by motorcycle-riding men, revealed yesterday that he has been receiving death threats.

Rufino Gravador Jr. said he started receiving threats after the Office of the Ombudsman issued subpoenas on the plunder and oppression cases he filed against Mayor Reynaldo San Pedro and 16 other city officials.

“He was warned to be extra careful as he would not last long,” Gravador’s lawyer Elmer Galicia told The STAR.

Gravador said only the mayor would want to bring him harm.

“I have prepared a will, a copy of which I carried in my vehicle. It states that if something bad happens to me, there is no other suspect but him (San Pedro),” he said.

Gravador was hit in the head and neck when the armed men strafed his sport utility vehicle on Wednesday along Bulac Road in Sta. Maria town.

Gravador was a witness in a plunder case filed by Councilor Romeo Agapito against San Pedro for the alleged overpriced construction of a government building.

Gravador said he ducked upon hearing the first volley of gunfires and prayed that he would survive.

Although wounded, he managed to drive himself to the hospital after the gunmen fled.

San Pedro has denied having to do with the ambush. He even offered a P100,000-reward for any information leading to the arrest of the gunmen.

He said he is leaving it up to the ombudsman to decide on the cases filed against him.