Gun attack near Ecija checkpoint leaves mayor unhurt, bodyguard wounded

A bullet pierced the windshield of the car being driven by San Antonio Mayor Arvin Salonga in an attack that wounded his bodyguard. The ambush in Jaen town left the mayor unscathed. PHOTO BY ARMAND GALANG

SAN ANTONIO, Nueva Ecija—Mayor Arvin Salonga of this town and his bodyguard survived an ambush in nearby Jaen town early on Tuesday (Sept. 8), police said.

Col. Marvin Joe Saro, provincial police director, said the attack was captured by security cameras, which showed at least four assailants with two on a motorcycle.

Investigators said Salonga, who was unhurt, was driving his car when the assailants shot his car around 8:30 a.m.

Salonga’s bodyguard, who was identified as Danny Camelo, 53, was wounded.

Police said the mayor and his bodyguard came from San Leonardo town and were heading home when they were attacked while crossing a bridge in Jaen near a checkpoint.

Salonga discounted politics as a possible motive behind the attack, noting he was unopposed in the last elections.

TSB