DENR employee, driver ambushed in Castillejos

CASTILLEJOS, Zambales -- An employee of CENRO-DENR, Olongapo City and his driver were in critical condition when they were ambushed by two unidentified suspects riding in a motorcycle in Bgy. Nagbunga, this town, Wednesday afternoon.

The victims were identified as Arturo Galpo, 56, nursery farm supervisor, CENRO-DENR, Olongapo City and his driver, Eduardo Lachica, 63.

They sustained multiple gunshot wounds in their body from caliber 45 pistol and are being treated at the James Gordon Memorial Hospital in Olongapo City.

Report said at about 5:30 p.m., the victims were on their way home from their work in San Felipe, Zambales. Upon reaching Bgy. Nagbunga the riding in tandem suspects overtook their owner-type jeep (PAI-409) and peppered them with bullets.

The Zambales Police are still conducting investigation to identify the suspects. Mamer Bañez - journal.com.ph

SUBIC HOMEOWNERS’ PRESIDENT AMBUSHED

SUBIC TOWN, Zambales – A businessman who is also the current president of a homeowners’ association in this town is now in critical condition at a hospital after two unidentified men ambushed his van the other night.

Police said businessman Jimmy Castillo, of Phase 1 Block 7 Magdalena Homes Subd., here, was waylaid by two men riding on a motorcycle at 7:20 p.m. Thursday in Purok 3, Barangay Sto. Tomas, here.

Castillo was with his wife while driving home in his Hyundai Starex van (REX-270) when the gunmen struck. His wife survived the attack unscathed.

Castillo, who sustained three bullet wounds in the torso, was quickly taken by his wife to the Our Lady of Lourdes International Medical Center in Olongapo City after the attack.

His wife asked police to investigate the angle of land dispute in the attempt to kill her husband

She said her husband, in behalf of a group of real estate owners, have been fighting a subdivision owner who is claiming rights to the land they already bought. (Jonas Reyes- mb.com.ph)

Zambales town mayor survives gun attack

The mayor of Iba, Zambales and four others were wounded while two of his bodyguards were killed when at least six men fired at them Saturday night, police said.

Chief Superintendent Leon Nilo de la Cruz, Central Luzon police director, said Iba Mayor Danilo Pamoleras and his civilian bodyguards were having a drinking spree in front of his farm in Sitio Calagit, Barangay Dirita when they were shot with M-16 Armalite rifles at around 7:15 p.m.

De la Cruz identified the slain bodyguards as Bernie Aragon and Malvar Gamayan, who was killed on the spot.

He said Pamoleras and his wounded aides were rushed to the President Magsaysay Memorial Hospital in Iba town.

In a report to the regional police command, Senior Superintendent Roland Felix, Zambales police director, said Pamoleras only sustained a slight wound as Gamayan and Aragon covered him with their bodies.

The mayor’s four wounded bodyguards, identified as Ruben Maohay, Milanio Abadam, Herson Nebres and Joseph Contreras, were reported to be in stable condition, Felix said.

De la Cruz said police have launched pursuit operation against the gunmen who fled on three motorcycles.

He said police promptly coordinated with the Army’s 24th Infantry Battalion to possibly block the attackers in Barangay Sta. Barbara, Iba town.

Police were still investigating the motive behind the shooting. By Ric Sapnu (The Philippine Star)

Soldier slain in ambush

By. Mamer Bañez - People's Journal

PALAUIG, Zambales – An Army Intelligence officer was killed in an ambush by five suspected New People’s Army rebels in Barangay Salaza here Sunday.

Zambales police director Senior Supt. Rolando Felix identified the victim as S/Sgt. Fernando Lozano; 41, of Barangay Sabang, Morong, Bataan, and assigned at the Army’s 24 Infantry Battalion in Balanga City.

Police said the victim was traveling on a motorcycle when, upon reaching the National Highway, the rebels blocked his path and opened fire, killing him on the spot. The rebel escaped in two tricycles.

Police recovered at the scene 15 shells and two deformed slugs for 45 pistol.