Masbate town vice mayor dies, 2 others hurt in Manila ambush

MANILA, Philippines — The vice mayor of Batuan town in Masbate died while two other companions were hurt after unidentified gunmen shot them in Manila on Wednesday morning.

Sampaloc police identified the victims as Batuan, Masbate Vice Mayor Charlie Yuson III; Wilfredo Pineda, 44; and Alberto Alforte, 23.

Police said victims were having breakfast at a canteen in front of a house along V.G. Cruz Street in Sampaloc when suspects alighted from a van and shot them at 8:45 a.m.

The suspects fled towards R.M. Boulevard while concerned citizens brought the victims to the University of Santo Tomas Hospital in España, Manila.

Yuson later died at the hospital while his two other companions are still undergoing treatment.

Manila Police District Homicide Section chief Capt. Henry Navarro told INQUIRER.net that Yuson was visiting his brother, Charlie Yuson Jr., barangay chairman in Manila.

He also noted that the Masbate town vice mayor went to Manila for a business meeting to buy “construction materials.”

Navarro said they are coordinating with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) if the victim was listed in the government’s drug watchlist.

“Nagrequest kami before sa PDEA kung kasama siya sa watchlist and we are waiting sa result (We requested from PDEA to verify if he is included in the drugs watchlist and we are waiting for the result),” he said in a phone interview.

The MPD Homicide Section is undergoing further investigation to identify the suspects. /je