Iligan Rep. Belmonte: Ambush was politically motivated

Published December 11, 2014 8:48pm

(UPDATED 9:56 p.m.) Iligan City Rep. Vicente Belmonte believes that the ambush incident on Thursday that killed three members of his party is related to politics.

"I believe na it's about local politics, it is politically motivated," Belmonte said in an interview on "QRT" on GMA News TV.

"This is my last term as the representative of the lone district of Iligan City. Tinatanong nila minsan, I intend 'kako to run for mayor in 2016."

The congressman's party had just left Laguindigan Airport when it was ambushed. Belmonte suffered only a minor wound during the incident, but three members of his party were killed, while three more were injured.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) said in a news release said that PO3 Mark Andres, a member of the security detail for the lawmaker, and two aides identified as Ian Dumaging and Eustique Silawan were killed during the ambush.

"More or less 500 meters away from the national highway, mayroon nag-block sa amin na L300 na puti. Huminto kami, huminto sila, binuksan nila 'yung sliding door ng L300, pinaputukan ako. Pinaputukan kami ng tatlong naka-armalite sa loob,” he said.

"Simultaneously sa side, mayroon nakatago rin na ambushers, 'di ko na alam kung ilan sila basta maraming putok."

Soldiers from the 58th Infantry Batallion responded to the scene, according to EastMinCom, preventing the assailants from going after the congressman after the initial volume of fire.

The 58th Infantry Battalion, the 4th Light Armor Battalion, and policemen from PNP Misamis Oriental rushed to the incident and conducted pursuit operation, added EastMinCom.

Death threats

According to the lawmaker, he had already received what could be perceived as death threats even before the incident.

"Alam mo 'yung pulitiko, nagpaplano rin kami so marami akong naririnig na hindi daw ako tatagal, mayroon daw mangyayari sa akin,” he said.

Belmonte pointed to the New People's Army as well as retired military officials residing in Iligan City as possible culprits behind the ambush.

"Magulo 'yung area namin. Pinasukan na kami ng mga syndicated crime, drugs, illegal gambling and it has to do with the local leadership,” he said.

At the House of Representatives, House Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II condemned the attack and urged authorities to exert all efforts to nab those responsible for the ambush.

"We're shocked. We condemn in the strongest terms the attack on Congressman Belmonte. We call on authorities to get to the bottom of these and ensure that justice will be served," he said.

The Philippine National Police (PNP), for its part, said it is already beefing up security for Belmonte apart from beginning operations in pursuit of the perpetrators of the crime. — Andrei Medina with a report from Xianne Arcangel/JST, GMA News

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