Village councilor injured in gun attack in Zamboanga del Sur village
Barangay Laperian village councilor Edgar Apao (on a stretcher) was rushed to the Zamboanga del Sur Medical Center after he survived a gun attack on April 27, 2025 in Ramon Magsaysay town. PHOTOS BY JHAY OFIMA
PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga Del Sur — A village councilor and strong supporter of an incumbent mayor was attacked by gunmen along the road in Barangay Upper Laperian in Ramon Magsaysay town on Sunday, April 27.
Edgar Apao, 45, village councilor of Barangay Laperian, Tukuran town, was riding his tricycle on his way home when he was stopped by still unidentified attackers who opened fire at 10:20 a.m., said Police Col. Bonifacio Arañas Jr., provincial director of the Zamboanga del Sur police.
Police said the gunmen, who were wearing black helmets and aboard XRM and Yamaha Mio motorcycles, obstructed Apao’s route and fired multiple shots, causing severe injuries to the victim.
The assailants escaped towards Tukuran Road.
READ: Political coordinator survives shooting in Zamboanga del Sur town
Rescuers rushed Apao to the Zamboanga del Sur Medical Center (ZDSMC) in Pagadian City for immediate medical treatment.
ZDSMC chief Dr. Anatalio Cagampang Jr. said Apao sustained a gunshot wound in his head that needed immediate surgery, prompting the victim’s wife to transfer him to a private hospital.
Arañas said the area where Apao was attacked was a remote place with no cellular signal and 15 kilometers away from the Ramon Magsaysay Municipal Police Station.
Jessrel Himang, provincial information officer of Zamboanga del Sur, identified Apao as a strong supporter of reelectionist Mayor Macario Tingson of Tukuran town.
