By Edwin Fernandez | Philippine News Agency
Police are pursuing two motorbike-riding suspects who ambushed but failed to kill an engineer and his driver here on Monday.
PLTCOL. Julius Malcontento, Isulan municipal police chief, said authorities have identified “persons of interest” in the attack on Amaroden Esmael, 38, an engineer from Ampatuan, Maguindanao del Sur, and his driver, Amelon Asmodin, 30, of Koronadal City.
The victims were ambushed around 10:30 a.m. along the national highway in Barangay Kalawag 2 while in a black pickup vehicle.
They were en route to the provincial capitol in Buluan, Maguindanao del Sur, when the motorcycle-riding suspects opened fire.
Police are working to obtain security footage from the vicinity of the ambush site.
“We appeal to anyone with information about the motive and the perpetrators of the ambush to come forward so we can file charges in court,” Malcontento said.
Esmael sustained minor injuries and is now in stable condition.
Asmodin had a gunshot wound to the head and remains in serious condition.
“Despite his injury, the driver managed to bring the vehicle to the provincial hospital about 800 meters away,” Malcontento added.
Investigators recovered at least six empty shells from a .45-caliber pistol at the crime scene.
