A MUNICIPAL government official cheats death in a gun attack while on quarantine in a remote village in the province of Zamboanga del Norte, the police reported Sunday, August 9, 2020.

Police Captain Edwin Duco, Police Regional Office-Zamboanga Peninsula information officer, disclosed the incident happened around 9:30 p.m. Saturday in Sitio Pula Ulo in San Roque village, Gutalac, Zamboanga del Norte.

Duco identified the wound-be victim as Vice Mayor Joel Reluya Tendero, 56, of Gutalac municipality.

Duco said that Tendero was at his farmhouse since the official is under a 14-day home quarantine when unidentified gunmen opened fire.

He said Tendero was unscathed as the suspects missed their target. The farmhouse, however, was riddled with bullets.

He said the responding policemen recovered 17 empty shells of caliber 5.56-millimeter rifle or known as M-16 Armalite rifle.

He said investigation continues aimed to unmask the identities of the suspects while the town official was advised to go on isolation in a secured place.

Tendero is set to complete his 14-day quarantine Monday, August 10. (SunStar Zamboanga)