BANGUED, Abra – Two persons cheated death after they were unhurt when still unidentified motorcycle riding gunmen allegedly shot their vehicle while traversing the Abra-Ilocos Sur road, particularly at Monggoc, Pidigan here Sunday night.
Senior Superintendent Antonio Bartolome, provincial director of the Abra Provincial Police Office, identified the shooting survivors as Bonifacio Castañeda Rafal Jr., 39, married, a resident of barangay Cabuloan, Bangued, Abra and Nelson Tabañera Bayquen, 37, married, helper, a resident of barangay Bacsil, Bangued, Abra.
Initial police investigation showed that Rafal and Bayquen were on board a truck loaded with palay which was proceeding outside the province when several motorcycle-riding armed men who were trailing their vehicle suddenly shouted at them and fired at their vehicle once hitting the driver’ side before fleeing towards San Quentin town.
The supposed victims immediately sought police assistance and the case is now undergoing investigation to ascertain the motive of the shooting incident.
Probers discovered a gunshot hole on the driver’s side of the truck and a spent shell of a caliber .45 pistol used by the suspects in the crime was recovered inside the vehicle.
By Dexter A. See