Mamba asks why governor wasn’t charged in shooting

MANILA, Philippines—After surviving an ambush in Cagayan, Secretary Manuel Mamba on Tuesday motored back to Manila, stumped why Cagayan Gov. Alvaro Antonio wasn’t arrested after allegedly opening fire at their convoy with an AK-47.

“I’m wondering why he wasn’t arrested after the attack,” Mamba, chief of the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office, said by phone while en route to Manila to attend the launch of a government program in Malacañang on Wednesday.

Mamba alleged that their convoy of four cars was cruising along Maharlika Highway in Alcala town Monday afternoon when Antonio fired at the fourth car from a waiting shed in front of the town hall. Nobody was hurt. Antonio denied Mamba’s charges on TV.

Antonio was leading Mamba’s brother William in the gubernatorial race in the province, according to the secretary.

Mamba vowed to press charges against Antonio.

“We’re talking here of election offenses and criminal charges, like frustrated murder,” he said. “He did it with impunity—along the national highway on Election Day. I have to file the charges. What if one of us was killed? We can’t let this go just like that.”