Four Army personnel survive ambush in Isabela

By Ronron
June 6, 2007

Two armed men shot four unarmed personnel of the Philippine Army last Tuesday while visiting a friend in Gamu, Isabela, a military spokesman said yesterday.

1Lt. Dennis Guillermo, chief of the Public Affairs Office of the Philippine Army’s 5th Infantry Division, said the victims, who were in civilian clothes, were aboard a van when fired upon at around 3:30 pm.

The incident happened in front of the house of their friend, Sangguniang Bayan (SB) member Manuel Morillo, a retired Sergeant, in Barangay District 3.

The four military personnel were identified as Cpl. Filmore Salvador, T/Sgt. Jomides Reynoso, Sgt. Marbel Telan, and PFC Jennifer Romero, all members of the 5ID.

“It is strongly believed that the motive of the shooting was purely political and that the identity of the soldiers who were in the van was most probably mistaken to be that of the SB member,” Guillermo said.

Morillo was inside his residence at the time of the shooting and was spared from the attack.

Guillermo said the two suspects were dropped off from an owner-type jeep before firing their guns.

The four soldiers survived the attack as Salvador quickly drove off the van away.

“The vehicle, however, incurred damages mostly from the rear, including one that pierced through the rear window into the rear view mirror, and through the windshield,” said Guillermo.

Guillermo said two eyewitnesses are being questioned at the Gamu Municipal Police Station for the identification of the gunmen.

“It is said to note that the incident further blemished the image of the municipality of Gamu in the province of Isabela as this contributed to the increasing number of violent incidents in relation to politics in the said town,” Guillermo said.

Isabela is among the five provinces placed under Comelec control during the May 14 polls./DMS