Ex-rebel assassin survives ambush by estranged comrades

MANILA, Philippines — An ex-rebel “hitman" survived an ambush by his former comrades in Negros Oriental province on Sunday, an online news site reported Tuesday. The Visayan Daily Star (www.visayandailystar.com) reported that seven armed men ambushed Julbert "Jojo" Candido in Buenavista village in Guihulngan town. Candido, a member of the Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit (Cafgu), was aboard his motorcycle and on his way home at the time. He told police that at least three of his seven would-be assassins used to be members of his team of assassins under the Leonardo Panaligan Command of the New People’s Army’s (NPA). Lt. Col. Franco Nemesio Gacal, commander of the Philippine Army’s 11th Infantry Battalion, said Candido jumped off his motorcycle as the suspects opened fire on him. He said Candido identified the assailants as Felix Susas, also known as Jun Jun; Randy Saguran, alias Dodong, Potoy and Itaw, as well as Gerly Lanotan. Gacal claimed that Susas and Saguran are sons of Kagawad Josephine Susas of Linantuyan in Guihulngan, a leader of farmer's group Pamabali-Kaugmaon, a local affiliate of the Kilusang Magbubukid sa Pilipinas; and Josephine Saguran, a member of Bayan and Karapatan in Guihulngan, respectively. Saguran's father Oswaldo is also an active member of the NPA who is the prime suspect in the assassination of army S/Sgt. Diosdado Sudayan in 2005, he added. Lanotan, on the other hand, is the nephew of Regine Lanotan, a.k.a. Raffy, a platoon leader of the Leonardo Panaligan Command, Gacal said. Gacal said the rebel assassins involved in the failed ambush-slay of Candido, who is presently assigned at the Hinakpan detachment in Guihulngan, will be charged in court for attempted murder. - GMANews.TV