Antidrug judge survives ambush in Agusan

BUTUAN CITY—An Agusan del Sur regional trial court judge known for his tough stance against illegal drugs has survived an assassination attempt on Friday.

Hector Salise, the presiding judge of RTC 7 in Bayugan City, was on his Toyota Innova being driven by his police escort, SPO1 Edmund Narvasa, when fired at on the Agusan del Sur Diversion Road in Barangay Lemon here past 7 a.m.

Chief Supt. Rolando Felix, the Caraga police director, said Salise, who resides here, was on his way to work when unidentified gunmen, armed with M-16 automatic assault riffles and .45 caliber pistols, waylaid him.

The perpetrators were on a silver Montero sports utility vehicle, Felix said.

Salise sustained gunshot wounds on the head and the back, while Narvasa was hit on the thigh.

Although wounded and was bleeding profusely, Narvasa was able to fire back, forcing the attackers to flee toward Agusan del Sur, a police report said.

The assailants’ vehicle was later found abandoned in Sibagat town, also in Agusan del Sur.

Attending physicians at a local hospital here had declared the judge and Narvasa out of danger and already in stable conditions.

Felix said investigators were looking into the high-profile drug cases the judge has been handling.

“We are looking if the attack has connection with his work,” Felix told reporters.

The slay-try on Salise, who was known to be tough against drug suspects, drew condemnation and outrage from his colleagues, court personnel and Alpha Phi Omega fraternity brothers.