llocos mayoral bet's husband shot, hurt

BY FREDDIE LAZARO

CANDON CITY -- A district engineer, who is the husband of the mayoralty candidate in San Juan, Ilocos Sur, was critically wounded when he was shot by unidentified men in broad daylight in his office in Barangay San Nicholas here at noon on April 17.
Senior Supt. George Tolentino Regis, Ilocs Sur police director, identified the victim as Percival Bitonio, 57, OIC-district Engineer of 2nd Engineering District Office of Ilocos Sur based in San Nicholas, Candon City.

He is a resident of Barangay Bannaur, San Juan, Ilocos Sur. The victim is the husband of San Juan mayoralty candidate Amelia Bitonio, who is running as an independent bet.
Regis said the shooting happened about 12:45 noon. Two, unidentified men suddenly entered
the office of the victim and shot him while he was inside the comfort room.

He was hit in the left eyebrow. The assailants fled immediately. Policemen took the wounded victim immediately to the Candon City Hospital.

He was later transferred to Lorma Medical Center in San Fernando City, La Union for further treatment.

Police found one empty shell and one slug of Cal. 45 bullet at the crime scene. “We are conducting follow-up investigation on the incident, “ Regis said.

He said they have yet to determine the motive of the shooting. It could be either work-related or politically motivated, he said.