EX-KAGAWAD KILLED, DRIVER HURT IN PAMPANGA AMBUSH

BY KEVIN GALANG

MEXICO, Pampanga — A former kagawad on Thursday was killed while his driver was injured in an ambush at a subdivision in his town.

A report to Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3) director Bring. Gen. Jess Mendez by Pampanga police director Col. Eugene M. Marcelo identified the fatality as Jayson Maniago Villanueva, an ex-barangay kagawad and a resident of Bgy. Masamat .

Villanueva’s driver, Ryan Manuit Celis, 33, also of the same village, sustained gunshot wounds and was rushed to a hospital for treatment.

Police said the ambush occurred in Beverly Place Subdivision in Bgy. Masamat.

Initial investigation showed the driver had just picked up Villanueva from his residence and they were heading toward the City of San Fernando in Pampanga when a gunshot was heard as they passed through a portion of the subdivision.

The former kagawad immediately told the driver to speed up, but a lone assailant riding a motorcycle chased them and shot the driver in the back. 

The injured driver lost control of the vehicle, forcing them to pull over.

The suspect then approached and repeatedly fired at Villanueva, killing him on the spot, police said.

The wounded driver was brought to Jose B. Lingad Memorial General Hospital for medical treatment.

Authorities have launched a manhunt for the unidentified suspect and a flash alarm has been issued across the Pampanga Police Provincial Office to aid in the possible interception of the gunman.

Probers are also reviewing available CCTV footage in the area while Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) processed the crime scene to gather evidence that may help identify the perpetrator.

Authorities are also determining the motive  for the gun attack.