Former Pangasinan Gov. and Rep. Amado Espino Jr. was seriously wounded while his two bodyguards were killed in an ambush in San Carlos City, Pangasinan yesterday afternoon.
Espino was riding a Toyota Innova, escorted by two other vehicles with his other bodyguards on board, traversing Barangay Magtaking at around 4:30 p.m. when unidentified armed men on board a vehicle appeared and opened fire.
Police Brig. Gen. Joel Orduna, Ilocos police director, said Espino was taken to a hospital in San Carlos City.
“The attackers were on board a vehicle. I have already ordered massive pursuit operations against the perpetrators,” Orduna said. “We deployed our men in all possible escape routes,” he added.
Orduna has ordered a thorough investigation to determine the motive and identify the perpetrators of the attack.
Sen. Richard Gordon in a tweet shortly after the incident said Espino is “fighting for his life” in the hospital.
Gordon in the tweet also said that Espino’s five guards shielded the former provincial chief executive with their bodies and were killed.
The Senate Blue Ribbon panel chair called on the Philippine National Police to track down the perpetrators. (Aaron Recuenco and Liezle Basa Inigo)
