Assassination attempt on NE mayor probed

CARRANGLAN, Nueva Ecija – Police are investigating the motive for the assassination attempt on Mayor Restituto Abad of this town.

Senior Supt. Roberto Alligayu, Nueva Ecija police provincial director, said he ordered Guimba police to conduct an investigation into the shooting incident.

Abad and his driver, Private First Class Satty Duclayan, were wounded when fired upon by a gunman who acted as traffic volunteer, Alligayu said.

The victims are still confined at an undisclosed hospital.

Alligayu said the gunman was identified as Jonathan Carpio, a resident of Barangay Obrero in Cabanatuan City.

The identity of the suspect was known after the arrest of Jose Pascual, of Barangay Pagas, Cabanatuan City.

Investigation showed that Pascual acted as a lookout while the gunman waited for the arrival of the victims’ vehicle.

The mayor suffered two gunshot wounds in the shoulder and neck while his driver was shot in the head and neck.

Alligayu said a manhunt for Carpio has been launched.