Cop dead, town exec wounded in Ilocos Norte ambush

SOLSONA, Ilocos Norte —- A policeman was killed while the president of this town’s Association of Barangay (village) Captains (ABC) was wounded when armed men attacked them along the national highway in Barangay (village) Nalasin here on Monday afternoon, police said.

Reports said Councilor Alex Calucag, president of the ABC federation in the town, called a local radio reporter at 5:02 p.m. to seek help because he and his police escort, PO3 Rodante Julian, were ambushed.

Calucag had just come from a council session at the Solsona town hall and was driving his Mitsubishi Montero on his way home when he was attacked.

Police said Calucag, although wounded, was able to drive the vehicle away from the gunmen but Julian, who was on the front passenger seat, died instantly.

Calucag had bullet wounds in the face, arms and body and was taken to the Gov. Roque B. Ablan Sr. Memorial Hospital in Laoag City, where he was scheduled to undergo surgery, police said.

Charles Tadena, ABC provincial federation president in Ilocos Norte, said Calucag had received death threats early this year, prompting him to request a police security escort. SFM/ABC