City engineer survives strafing, drives self to hospital

A bullet-proof vest proved handy in saving the life of a city engineer after he was ambushed on a national road in Bulacan, a report by Cedric Castillo on "24 Oras" said on Thursday.

San Jose del Monte City Engineer Rufino Gravador managed to drive himself to the hospital after his SUV was strafed by automatic gunfire by two assassins on the Sta. Maria Road on Wednesday afternoon.

The assailants were able to flee on board a motorcycle.

Sta. Maria, Bulacan police chief Superintendent Rodolfo Hernandez said the case was already under investigation.

“Matagal na po kasi siyang may threat kaya ang pagkaka-alam namin kaya hindi po talaga masyado naging fatal, eh naka vest po si engineer,” Hernandez said.

“Bali nandoon po sila ngayon at kinukunan po nila ng statement. Nandoon po ang ating mga imbestigador sa ospital po,” he added.

San Jose del Monte Councilor Romeo Agapito said the incident could be related to Gravador's expose of the alleged overpricing in the construction of a city government building.

“Parang witness siya. Overpriced 'yung ginagawang government center na ayaw niya pumayag sa ganoon,” Agapito said.

San Jose del Monte Mayor Reynaldo San Pedro denied that he had anything to do with the ambush.

“Wala naman kuneksyon doon yun. Kung baga, ipinagpasa-batas na natin 'yung kaso na yun. Mayroong Ombudsman na humahawak. Sumagot kami. Inireklamo kami ng plunder pero sa totoo hindi pa naman tapos 'yung building,” San Pedro said. —Andrei Medina/NB, GMA News