Ilocos Norte councilor escapes slay attempt

By Teddy Molina and Freddie G. Lazaro

SOLSONA, Ilocos Norte – A municipal councilor here escaped an assassination attempt Monday after he immediately sought sanctuary at the town hall before the gunman could pull the trigger, police said.

Councilor Marcelino Quitoras, a lawyer, told police he was on his way to his car parked at the town hall’s parking lot when he saw the gunman taking aim at him.

Quitoras was about to get into his vehicle around 1:30 p.m. when the gunman approached him, pointed a gun at him and pulled the trigger.

Quitoras said the gun did not fire and so he quickly ran back to the town hall and sought police assistance while his attacker withdrew and boarded a motorcycle driven by another man.

Quitoras said he was at a loss on why someone would have him killed.

Police declined to give the identity of the gunman, pending his arrest.