Monday, May 14, 2007
Mayor's backers survive ambush
By Danilo V. Adorador III and Joey P. Nacalaban
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- Two supporters of a mayoral candidate survived a pre-dawn ambush in the Misamis Oriental town of Villanueva, witnesses said.
Seriously wounded was 65-year-old Oliver Yap, who sustained a gunshot wound in his nape. He was rushed to the town's hospital. His companion, 52-year old Philip Abejaron, sustained minor wounds in his left arm.
The two are political supporters of Dr. Josefa Neri, challenger of incumbent Mayor Juliet Uy. Yap is reportedly related to Cagayan de Oro Mayor Vicente Emano, though this information has yet to be validated as of Monday afternoon.
Witness accounts said armed men waylaid the victims as they were heading for Barangay Dayawan.
But Villanueva police said they were still validating if the incident was an ambush or an altercation between supporters of rival political camps.
Investigators also said they have already identified one of the attackers but have decided to withhold his name pending investigation.
"We have received conflicting reports on the incident: one pointing to an ambush, and the other pointing to a fight that erupted when Mr. Yap chased a supporter of Mayor Uy with bolo," said SPO1 Ferdinand Bongabong, who is investigating the case.
However, a witness to the incident who spoke to this paper disputed the latter version, saying it was impossible for Yap to carry a bolo while driving a motorcycle.
But the Villanueva police said they have in possession the bolo allegedly used by Yap in the melee.
The witness, who requested anonymity for fear of possible reprisal, accused the Villanueva police of being biased against the victims as "they are supporters of the mayor's rival." Bongabong denied the allegation.
Yap was transferred to the Capitol University Medical City later in the day, and doctors said his condition remains sensitive as the bullet pierced his lung.
He was to undergo a delicate operation Monday afternoon.
Police said they were still investigating the incident, which was the first known election-related violence in the province since the start of the election season.
The election in Cagayan de Oro went smoothly, with no reported election-related incidents, said City Police Director Aurelio Trampe. |
