Injured	Killed
1	0

Date: 23 August 2013
Source: http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php/news/provincial/56890-ecija-comelec-exec-survives-slay-try

SAN Leonardo, Nueva Ecija — A Commission on Elections officer in Nueva Ecija survived an alleged ambush attempt by two motorcycle-riding gunmen while driving his car with a companion on the national highway here Friday afternoon.

Police said lawyer Arsenio Reyes, 52, sustained a gunshot wound in the left thigh and was pronounced in stable condition in an undisclosed hospital in Cabanatuan City.

Reyes’ companion, identified as Boy Manuel, escaped unhurt.

Reyes, of Bgy. Antonino, Jaen town, is presently assigned as election officer in Gapan City. He was the designated election officer in the Science City of Muñoz during the May elections. Prior to his stint at the Science City of Muñoz, he was assigned as EO in Jaen.

Police said the attack occurred at around 1:20 p.m. on Maharlika Highway in Bgy. Castellano.

Provincial police chief Senior Supt. Crizaldo O. Nieves yesterday said they are initially looking at land dispute in Jaen as one of the possible motives behind the attack.

He said an alleged assassination plot against the victim way back in 2011 was foiled by the police when the supposed gunman was arrested before the purported slay plan was carried out.

The victim just came from his office in Gapan City and was driving a Toyota Vios (RLS-463) towards Cabanatuan City when his car was fired upon from behind by the two motorcycle-riding suspects.

Upon hearing the gunshots, Reyes initially thought a bottle just exploded nearby. But he saw two men firing at them so he immediately pulled over the car and ducked for cover, he told police.

He said the suspects then overtook them and again fired shots, hitting the car’s front door.

Although wounded, Reyes said he was able to personally report the incident to the Gapan police, who rushed him to Good Samaritan Hospital.

The Comelec officer later asked to be transferred to a Cabanatuan City hospital for security reasons.

Probers recovered several empty shells for cal. .45 at the scene.