3 killed, 6 wounded in ambushed of Lanao Del Norte Solon

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 11): 3 killed, 6 wounded in ambushed of Lanao Del Norte Solon

Three were killed, and six others wounded, including the Lanao Del Norte Solon, in an ambush in Laguindingan, Misamis Oriental Thursday afternoon.

Police identified the fatalities as PO3 Marcos A. Andres, a non-commissioned police officer, who was killed on the spot, Ian Dumaguing, 29, of Iligan City, and Philanan Eustique, 40, also of Iligan City. The victims died of gunshot wounds.

Both Dumaguing and Eustique died while being treated in the provincial hospital of Alubijid in Misamis Oriental.

Wounded were Rep. Vicente "Barf" Belmonte, of Lanao Del Norte's lone Congressional District. Belmonte sustained a gunshot wound on the right leg. The three other wounded were Ruel Tieho, 37, Don Rio, 52, and Noel Jo, 23, the driver.

Belmonte, however, is now out of danger. The heavily guarded Lanao Del Norte Solon went home to Iligan City after he was discharged from the Alubijid hospital about 4:30 Thursday afternoon.

Provincial Administrator Edmunod Pacamalan, Jr. of Misamis Oriental, who talked to Belmonte at the hospital, said that the Congressman could not say what the motive of the ambush was.

He said that Belmonte is on his last term as Congressman of the Lanao Del Norte's lone congressional district.

Investigators from the Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) are now conducting a probe into the ambuscade.

SOCO is trying to establish whether the burn vehicle, a van, with Plate No. KVW - 407 in the vicinity of Libertad, another adjacent town of Laguindingan, was part of the convoy that waylaid the Congressman's party.

Belmonte has just arrived on board a flight from Manila about 1:30 p.m. Thursday. He was met by his escorts at the Laguindingan Airport and was ambushed on their way to the main national highway, 3 kilometers from the airport.

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