MALACAÑANG denounced Thursday, September 12, the attempt on the life of former Pangasinan representative Amado Espino Jr.
"News has reached the Office of the President about the ambush of former governor and congressman of Pangasinan, Amado Espino, Jr.," Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a statement.
"We condemn this felonious act as we believe that any unjustified killing has no place in a civilized society like ours," he added.
Espino was wounded while one of his bodyguards was killed after they were ambushed by armed men in Magtaking village in San Carlos City, Pangasinan on Wednesday, September 11.
The former solon was reportedly aboard a black Toyota Land Cruiser, while his security aides were on board Toyota Innova multipurpose vehicle.
The slain security escort was identified as Staff Sergeant Richard Esguerra. Meantime, four other bodyguards of Espino were wounded.
Panelo vowed that the government would exhaust all efforts to establish the identity of the suspects and bring them to justice.
"The Palace has also been informed that one of the aides of Mr. Espino died on the spot, while he and his four other bodyguards have survived the armed attack and are now recovering," the Palace official said.
"We guarantee that police authorities are already on top of the situation and will spare no effort in finding the perpatrators of this crime and ascertaining their motive for consummating the same," he added.
Espino, who is also a former Pangasinan governor, was among the politicians included in President Rodrigo Duterte's so-called narco-list.
Duterte later apologized to Espino after learning that the latter has no links to illegal drugs. (SunStar Philippines)