Iligan City Rep. Belmonte survives ambush, 4 others killed

(Photo courtesy Eagle News correspondent June Marie Fabria)
(Photo courtesy Eagle News correspondent June Marie Fabria)

(Eagle News Service) — Iligan City Rep. Vicente Belmonte survived an ambush attempt Thursday afternoon, Dec. 11, near Laguindingin Airport in Misamis Oriental which killed four of his escorts and staffmembers.

Belmonte suffered injuries, along with two other companions. They are now being treated at a local hospital in Laguindingan.

According to Police Superintendent Bernard Mendoza, spokesperson of the Police regional office, the ambush happened around 1:45 p.m.

The still unidentified assailants opened fire on Belmonte’s two-vehicle convoy in the vicinity of purok 8, Poblacion, in Laguindingan, Misamis Oriental.

Belmonte’s group just left Laguindingan airport and was on their way home to Iligan City when the ambush happened.

According to Supt. Mendoza, the suspects even tried to burn the yellow car plate of the van which they used as escape vehicle. (with a report from Eagle News correspondent Richard dela Cruz)