P’sinan Ex-gov Espino got death threats before ambush; assassins still unidentified;

SAN CARLOS, Pangasinan – Assassins who tried to kill former Pangasinan Gov. Amado Espino Jr. are still unidentified even as he had been receiving death threats prior to the ambush that wounded him and killed one of his police escorts, police said Thursday.

“Kung hindi ako nagkakamali last week siya ay sumulat sa amin dahil may na-re-receive siyang threat kaya binigyan natin ng temporary security dito,” Col. Rederico Maranan, director of Pangasinan Police Provincial Office, said in a press briefing in Pangasinan.

Maranan said they gave Espino added security because of threats he had been receiving.

On Wednesday afternoon, Espino and his four bodyguards survived after unidentified armed men opened fire at their vehicle.

One of Espino’s police security aide, Police Staff Sgt. Richard Esguerra, was killed on the spot.

Maranan said Espino and the other wounded aides are now in stable condition and out of danger.

Maranan said they are still conducting further investigation and completing pieces of evidence to determine motive behind the ambush. Espino’s vehicle, a Toyota Land Cruiser, was at the village of Magtaking in San Carlos City around 4:30 p.m. when the gunmen attacked.

One of Espino’s aides, a policeman, was killed during the ambush while Espino was taken to Holy Blessed Family Hospital, also in San Carlos City, for treatment, San Carlos City Mayor Julier Resuello said.

Resuello clarified that only one aide was killed, not two as reported earlier.

Some of the aides were on board a Toyota Innova that served as a backup vehicle.

Resuello said Espino’s driver was able to take the vehicle to the hospital after the ambush.

The crime scene was 150 meters from the hospital.

Sources said security aides shielded Espino during the attack.

Resuello said Espino suffered gunshot wounds in the arm and body but is now out of danger.

Investigators said they have yet to determine the motive for the attack.

Espino also served as a former representative of Pangasinan’s 5th District.

.Brig. Gen. Joel Orduna, director of the Ilocos Region police, said he

Had ordered a massive pursuit operations against the perpetrators. “We deployed our men in all possible escape routes” he added.

Espino, who is also a former congressman of the 5th District of Pangasinan, was on board a Sports Utility Vehicle escorted by two other vehicles believed to be his security escorts. -- Liezle Basa Inigo