URGENT’’’’(UPDATE)PNP, NBI mobilize in Misamis Oriental

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 11): URGENT’’’’(UPDATE)PNP, NBI mobilize in Misamis Oriental

Tanks and armored vehicles back by about 100 police in full battle gear troop to Laguindingan, Misamis Oriental following the ambush of Lanao Del Norte Rep. Vicente “Barf” Belmonte Thursday afternoon.

Almost half of the Misamis Oriental provincial police command led by Pol. Senior Supt. Leonilo Cabog, responded to the ambush site shortly after the incident Thursday afternoon.

A team of fully armed members of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) led by NBI officer Alex Cabornay of Iligan City also went to the ambush site to augment the reinforcement there.

The law enforcers are reportedly conducting hot pursuit operations in search of possible suspects believed to be still in Misamis Oriental and in Lanao Del Norte. Belmonte, who reportedly suffered a gunshot wound on the right leg, is still in the provincial hospital of Alubijid, Misamis Oriental.

The Congressman is now heavily guarded with road security being laid along the Misamis Oriental highway. Provincial Administrator Edmundo Pacamalan, Jr. of Misamis Oriental, who rushed to the Alubijid hospital, said that Belmonte is resting in the hospital.

He said that aside from the bodyguard who was killed on the spot in the ambush site, one of the bodyguards died of gunshot wounds in the hospital.

Pacamalan said that another two bodyguards who sustained gunshot wounds, one of them the personal driver of the Congressman, are also being treated in the hospital.Another bodyguard who was critically wounded was rushed to a hospital in Cagayan De Oro City, Pacamalan said.

He said that one of the bodyguards covered Belmonte saving his life.

An unconfirmed report said that four of Belmonte’s bodyguards were killed. One of the fatalities was identified as PO3 Marcos Antena Andres, a non-commissioned officer of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Belmonte’s two drivers, also members of the police force, were also reportedly killed, an unconfirmed report said. There names were not made available yet.

Members of the Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) who is conducting an investigation are still looking at the motive of the ambuscade.

SOCO officials observed that the suspects had a blocking force which reportedly ambushed the car where Belmonte was on board ahead of the backup vehicle.

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