Samar ambush: Ex-mayor of San Jose Buan town dies

TACLOBAN CITY — The former mayor of a Samar town who was ambushed by members of the New People’s Army (NPA)  last week died Saturday night.

READ: Ex-mayor of Samar town ambushed; bodyguard killed

Ananias Rebato, former mayor of San Jose de Buan, died at the intensive care unit of the Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center (EVRMC), where he was confined after he was ambushed by NPA members on October 8.

Vice Mayor Edgar Obinguar, a political ally of Rebato, said that the former mayor died at about 7:30 p.m. after he reportedly suffered a massive cardiac arrest.

Rebato, 57, a long-time mayor of San Jose de Buan, which is 120 kilometers away from this city, was supposed to run as vice mayor in next year’s elections with Obinguar as his running-mate under the  Lakas-CMD paty.

”Of course, this is a sad day for all of us in San Jose de Buan not only for me. He was supposed to be my vice mayoralty candidate and we were scheduled to file our certificates of candidacy on Monday, Obinguar said in a mobile phone interview.

Obinguar said the mayor’s son, Noli Rebato, an incumbent councilor of the impoverished town, informed him of Rebato’s death.

The remains of the former mayor were brought to Catbalogan City, the provincial capital of Samar, where his family owns a house.

He is survived by his wife, Melania, who had also served as mayor of San Jose de Buan from 2007 to 2010, and their four children.

Rebato was mayor of the town from 1998-2007 and from 2010 until 2016.

Rebato was ambushed on Oct.8 in Barangay Babaclayon where he attended a fiesta-related event. He was hit in different parts of the body with his close-in escort and nephew Severino Tesero.

The NPA, through the Arnulfo Ortiz Command, took responsibility for the ambush. The rebels accused him of working as intelligence officer of the military.

READ: NPA owns up to slay try on former Samar town mayor

Captain Francis Agno, spokesperson of the 8thInfantry Division based in Catbalogan City, said  they were sad about losing Rebato, a strong advocate against insurgency.

He said  Major Gen. Raul Farnacio, commanding general of the 8th ID has offered his ‘deepest sympathies to the family of the former mayor.’

‘Mayor Rebato died protecting his constituents,’ Agno said.  /ee