Former Camarines Sur lawmaker survives gun attack

INQUIRER.net stock photo

LEGAZPI CITY –– Former Camarines Sur Rep. Rolando Andaya Jr. has survived Tuesday an ambush staged by still unidentified gunmen riding-in-tandem on a motorcycle in Pili town in Camarines Sur province.

A police report said the former lawmaker was driving his Service Utility Vehicle (SUV) negotiating a road in Barangay Palestina with several companions when the gunmen overtook his vehicle and fire at it.

Brigadier General Jonnel Estomo, Bicol police chief, said in a press statement that Andaya survived the gun attack and was unharmed. His companions in the SUV were also safe.

Andaya was on his way to Barangay Cadlan, also in Pili.

Police investigators recovered from the crime scene two spent shells from a .45 caliber pistol. The vehicle also suffered minor damage from the fired bullets.

Estomo said he had directed Camarines Sur police to conduct a thorough investigation to find the suspects’ identities and the motive in the attack.

Estomo said a Special Provincial Investigation Team was created and an additional police force dispatched to conduct the investigation and gather statements from possible witnesses.

Andaya is the former House majority leader and a close ally of former president and House Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

Sources said the former representative and budget secretary is eyeing an elective seat in the province.

LZB