Couple attacked on their way to church in Cebu

CEBU CITY, Philippines—A man was seriously wounded Friday morning when he and his wife were shot at by unidentified men on a motorcyle while they were on their way  to attend Mass at the Basilica del Sto. Niño in downtown Cebu City, police said.

Rodrigo Barquero and his wife, Juliet Alma, residents of Consolacion town in northern Cebu, were in Kia Rio sedan about 9 a.m. when the assailants drove alongside them on T. Padilla Extension in Barangay Tejero.

The motorcycle backrider pulled out a gun and fired at the car at least 20 times based on the shells and slugs at the crime scene.

Rodrigo was hit on the left side of the chest and the left arm but his wife was unscathed.

After the assailants sped off toward M.J. Cuenco, the couple got out of their vehicle and took a taxi to the hospital. Police said Barquero was out of danger.

SPO4 Alex Dacau, homicide investigator, said they were looking into the possibility that the ambush may be related to Rodrigo’s job, but he declined to elaborate.

Rodrigo, 57, is liaison officer at the Gorordo branch of Kia Motors while his wife was described by police as someone who assists car owners in registering their vehicles at the Land Transportation Office.