LIMAY, Bataan — The manager of the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) in Bataan died while his administrative officer was seriously injured in an ambush by car-riding gunmen along the busy Roman Highway here late Friday afternoon.
Chief Inspector Melanio Santiago, Limay police chief, said Froilan Abella, 60, PPA-Bataan manager and resident of Bacoor, Cavite, was declared dead an hour after he was rushed to the St. Michael Hospital in Orion town, this province.
Jocelyn Reyes, 49, PPA procurement officer and acting administrative officer, resident of San Nicolas, Cavite, was seriously injured and underwent operation at the same hospital.
Jocelyn’s husband Christian Reyes, 37, PPA driver, was not hurt but still suffering from trauma. Reyes and his wife are in a room guarded by PPA security guard and soldiers.
Investigation showed that the three came from the PPA office at the Port of Lamao and on their way home to Cavite when ambushed at about 5:30 p.m.
“A gray SUV overtook from the slow/outer lane and started firing at Abella’s vehicle. More or less 20 shots were fired mostly hitting the window of the front passenger seat where Abella was seated,” Santiago said. Jocelyn was at the back seat.
Police recovered from the crime scene one empty shell from caliber .45 and nine from 9mm handguns. (Ernie Esconde/PNA)
