MANILA — House Majority Leader Rolando Andaya Jr. on Wednesday said he escaped what police suspected to be an assassination attempt by a lone gunman who sneaked in after he filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) for Camarines Sur governor.
The incident occurred inside the Capitol Complex of Camarines Sur in Pili town late Tuesday afternoon.
Andaya said the gunman, who was identified as Ray John Musa, member of the Capital Complex Security Unit, was arrested and subsequently charged with attempted murder and violation of the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.
Witnesses told police investigators that Musa was seen acting suspiciously when he mingled with Andaya’s supporters who accompanied the solon in filing his COC before the local Commission on Elections (Comelec) office at around 2:30 p.m..
Shortly after Andaya left the Comelec office, the suspect reportedly approached him from behind and tried to pull out a firearm. The gun, however, fell to the ground, which drew the attention of Andaya’s companions.
Andaya said his close-in security subdued the gunman and recovered a .38-caliber revolver loaded with five live ammunitions.
The suspect and his firearm were later turned over to Police Officer 3 Renan Bongalon for proper disposition.
Andaya said he believes the gunman was acting on orders of powerful political figures in Camarines Sur who were “threatened” by his decision to run for governor.
“Lalabas din naman siguro ang katotohanan at malalaman natin kung sino talaga ang nag-utos sa kanya. (The truth will come out and the person who hired the assassin would be revealed),” Andaya said. (Filane Mikee Cervantes/PNA)
