TACLOBAN CITY – The vehicle allegedly belonging to San Isidro Mayor, Leyte, Remedio Veloso, was ambushed on Thursday around 3:10 pm while traveling through Alangalang town, also in Leyte.
The police have yet to determine the perpetrators behind the attack.
The mayor’s vehicle, a Toyota pick-up driven by Ranel Reubal, 44, was traveling along a national highway in Barangay Dapdap, Alangalang, when the suspects, who were aboard a Navarra pick-up, appeared and opened fire on the vehicle.
Reubal sustained a gunshot wound to his lower back, while his companion, Carlo Emman Pauligue, 44, remained unharmed.
The local police, led by town police chief PMaj Joshua Bien Chiquillo, are currently conducting an investigation to identify those responsible for the attack.
Leyte provincial director, Col. Erwin Portillo, condemned the incident and directed the Alangalang police to apprehend the suspects.
“I am deeply saddened upon receiving this report. I have already instructed the chief of police of Alangalang to investigate this incident thoroughly and make every effort to gather evidence, including reviewing CCTV footage in the area to identify the assailants,” Portillo stated.
“As of today (Thursday), all municipalities in Leyte province will be placed under full alert status,” he added.
This is not the first time Mayor Veloso’s vehicle has been targeted in an ambush.
On December 21, 2022, another vehicle belonging to Veloso was attacked by armed suspects while traveling in Kananga, also in Leyte.
Veloso’s sister, Juanita Veloso, was injured, while his wife, Leleena, and driver, Edmil Bacay, were unharmed.
As of now, Mayor Veloso has not issued any statement regarding this latest attack. San Isidro town is part of Leyte’s third congressional district, which has experienced several shooting incidents in the past, mostly involving barangay officials.
On March 8, approximately 389 police personnel were deployed to various towns in the district to address the shooting incidents.
Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho Petilla had earlier instructed Col. Portillo to put an end to these incidents in the district, which comprises Calubian, San Isidro, Villaba, Tabango, and Leyte.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA /ROBERT DEJON)
