Cotabato City mayor’s secretary identifies attackers, to pursue raps vs killers

COTABATO CITY, Philippines — The secretary to Mayor Japal Guiani Jr., who survived a broad daylight shooting here Tuesday, has positively identified his assailants and vowed to pursue charges against them.

Guiani said on Wednesday that Aniceto Rasalan Jr. also vowed to testify in court against his motorcycle-riding assailants to help put them behind bars.

Rasalan was driving his government-issued Mitsubishi L300 van when he was ambushed along Sinsuat Ave. on his way to the city hall around 2:30 p.m. Tuesday.

He sustained a gunshot wound on the left ear.  The bullet pierced through his jaw, Guiani said.

He is currently recuperating in an undisclosed hospital.

Guiani said Rasalan had positively identified his assailants but their identities were being withheld pending their arrest after the filing of charges against them.

He also would not say what the possible motive was for the attempt on the life of his secretary.

Senior Supt. Rex Anongos, the city police director, said the police were only waiting for warrants to be issued before conducting arrests.

“We will get them as soon as the warrants of arrest are issued by the court. Let us give them a lesson,” Guiani said.