Misamis vice mayor survives ambush; 2 aides wounded

MANILA, Philippines - The vice mayor of a town in Misamis Occidental was unhurt, but two of her companions were wounded in an ambush in Don Victoriano Chiongbian town on Monday afternoon, police said yesterday.

Vice Mayor Annabelle Hamoy survived the ambush.

Hamoy’s driver, Danny Rabago, was hit in the arm while her security escort, Titing Luna, was shot in the right leg. They were brought to a hospital for treatment.

Police said the victims were traveling to Josefina town in Zamboanga del Sur when they were waylaid by unidentified men.

Investigators are trying to determine the identity of the gunmen and the motive for the ambush.

Don Victoriano Chiongbian Mayor Rodolfo Luna has called for a parallel probe.

The town was on the election watchlist of the police during the 2010 and 2013 elections due to intense political rivalry and the presence of private armed groups.

 The Philippine National Police said three cities and six municipalities in Misamis Occidental are among those considered “areas of concern” in view of the elections in May.

Superintendent Francis Cariaga, Northern Mindanao police director, said local government units on the election watchlist are being monitored also because of  insurgency problems and clan war.