Armed man arrested, charged for sneaking up on Andaya

House Majority Leader Rolando Andaya Jr. escaped what police believed to be an assassination attempt after they arrested a man who was sneaking up on him after he filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) for Camarines Sur governor on Tuesday.

The gunman, identified as Ray John Musa and a member of the Capitol Complex Security Unit, was arrested and charged with attempted murder and violation of the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act over the incident.

Witnesses told authorities that the suspect was acting suspiciously when he joined Andaya's supporters who accompanied him in filing his COC at the Commission on Elections office at the Capitol Complex of Camarines Sur on Tuesday afternoon.

But after Andaya walked out of the Comelec office some 30 minutes later, the suspect reportedly approached him from behind and tried to pull out a gun. The firearm, however, fell to the ground and drew attention from Andaya's companions.

Recovered from the suspect was a caliber 38 revolver loaded with five live ammunition.

The suspect and his firearm were then turned over to PO3 Renan Bongalon.

Andaya believes that the suspect was acting upon orders of powerful political figures in Camarines Sur who were threatened by his running for gubernatorial position.

"Lalabas din naman siguro ang katotohanan at malalaman natin kung sino talaga ang nag-utos sa kanya," Andaya said in a statement. "Hindi naman maglalakas-loob iyan kung walang matibay na kinakapitan."

"Kung akala nila matatakot ako, diyan sila nagkakamali. Wala nang atrasan ito," he added.  —KBK, GMA News