LUCENA CITY—A group of 300 supporters of reelectionist Gov. David Suarez holding a meeting here on Thursday reported being fired upon by a group of unidentified men armed with high-powered firearms.
Tinton Suarez, a cousin of Suarez, said she had just finished delivering her speech at past noon when the gunmen poked the barrels of their long guns at the window grills of the village hall of Barangay Ibabang Iyam, where they were holding a meeting.
“Soon after, bursts of gunshots were heard outside the hall. We all ducked for cover for safety,” Tinton told the Inquirer by phone.
She said two elderly women fainted.
Liza Alvarez, candidate for board member in Quezon’s second district who was present in the meeting, said that when she heard gunfire, she started reciting prayers over the microphone.
“What is its purpose except to frighten and harass us?” she said. Suarez condemned the shooting and urged authorities to identify the gunmen and unmask the mastermind behind the attack.