Police identify owners of 2 alleged getaway vehicles of suspects in Espino ambush

(Eagle News)–The police on Friday, Sept. 13, said they have identified the owners of two  getaway vehicles used by those behind the ambush of former Pangasinan Gov. Amado Espino Jr.

The names of the  owners  of the red Hyundai Elantra and the grey Ford Everest  according to the police, however, have been withheld in light of the police probe.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Crystal Peralta, chief of the Police Regional Office 1, clarified the owners are not considered suspects but are seen as people who could shed light on the investigation into the incident two days ago.

The Hyundai was recovered in Barangay Cobol in San Carlos, Cebu while the Ford Everest was spotted in Barangay Pasima, Malasiqui town in Pangasinan.

Police recovered high-powered firearms in both the vehicles.

Peralta said they were still looking for a black Toyota Wigo  allegedly also used by the suspects.

The police have said at least ten men attacked Espino’s two-vehicle convoy in Barangay Magtaking in San Carlos past 4 p.m.

Richard Esguerra, one of Espino’s security escorts,  and  Espino’s driver Agapito Cuizon were killed.

Espino is recuperating in a hospital.

In a press briefing on Thursday, Sept. 12, Col. Redrico Maranan, Pangasinan provincial director and head of the  Special Investigation Task Group tasked to look into the incident, said Anthony Columbino, the driver of Espino’s backup vehicle, is being probed after police, who initially thought he had been hurt and was in a hospital, found out he  went back to his province after the incident. driver of the backup vehicle

Columbino has said however that he was only traumatized by the incident.