STA MARIA—Just a few days before the nationwide implementation of the total gun ban on January 10, a municipal election officer here was shot and wounded by two unidentified armed men on board a motorcycle at 5:00 p.m. Wednesday.

Juanito Villalba, 60, father of five, was rushed to the Sacred Heart Hospital in Urdaneta City where a bullet was removed above his buttock.

Villalba is assistant to Municipal Election Officer Marivic Garcillano-Luna, a sister of former Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano of the infamous “Hello Garci Tape” who comes from Balungao town.

Villalba’s wife, Yolanda, said her husband is already in stable condition but remained under tight police guard.

Mrs. Villalba confirmed that her husband first received a death threat before the 2007 election when unidentified persons sent him a black ribbon, symbolic of death.

Few hours after the incident, Police Regional Office 1 Director Constante Azares Jr. ordered an intensive manhunt against the perpetrators.

Provincial Director Percival Barba, in his report to regional director, Chief Superintendent Azares, Villalba was shot at close range by one of two men riding a red motorcycle.

Combined elements of the Pangasinan Police Provincial Office, the Pangasinan Provincial Public Safety Maneuver Company, and the 1st Regional Public Safety Management Battalion, led by P/Sr. Supt. Alejandro Valerio, are now tracking the suspects.

Two deformed slugs and two empty shells of caliber .45 pistol were recovered by the police from the crime scene.—LM

Back to Homepage

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments