ORMOC CITY— Police are investigating the ambush of a couple traveling aboard a subcompact sedan at around 4:45 p.m. on Tuesday, September 9, in Barangay Buga-Buga, Villaba town, Leyte.
Police Major Salvador Ian Po, officer-in-charge of Villaba Municipal Police Station, identified the victims as “Rod,” 36, and his live-in partner “Krista,” 21, both residents of Maasin City.
According to witnesses, four unidentified gunmen aboard a gray van opened fire on the victims while they were traveling in a Mitsubishi Mirage 4 en route to Ormoc City and heading toward Maasin City.
Despite sustaining injuries, the driver managed to continue driving until they reached Barangay Hibulangan, Villaba, where they sought help from bystanders.
Responding personnel from the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) Villaba rushed the couple to Ormoc Doctors City Hospital for treatment.
Police said they received the first report of the shooting at 4:57 p.m. through a “Pulis sa Barangay” from Barangay Hibulangan. Responding officers from Villaba MPS, the 31st Special Action Company (3SAC) of the 3rd Special Action Battalion (SAB), the 2nd Leyte Provincial Mobile Force Company (LPMFC), and the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 8 (RMFB-8) immediately proceeded to the area.
A concerned citizen told police that the suspects were last seen heading toward Barangay Capiñahan, Villaba. Acting on this information, police pursued a gray van matching the description. They found it stuck in mud in a descending, mountainous portion of the barangay, with three male suspects pushing the vehicle.
Upon seeing the arriving officers, the suspects opened fire, prompting the police to return fire. A brief exchange of gunfire ensued but the suspects managed to flee toward the nearby mountains, abandoning the van.
Inside the van, police recovered a backpack containing a .45 caliber pistol with two live rounds and 11 spent shells of the same caliber. Despite a hot pursuit operation in the surrounding areas, the suspects were not apprehended. Neighboring police stations were also alerted to assist in locating and arresting the suspects.
Police also revealed that “Rod” was arrested in 2022 on drug charges but was released after entering into a plea bargaining agreement approved by the court.
(ROBERT DEJON)
