Northern Mindanao police condemn Tangub shooting incident

By Jo Ann Sablad

THE Police Regional Office (PRO) in Northern Mindanao strongly condemned the shooting incident in Tangub City that wounded three Misamis Occidental politicians Wednesday night, December 22.

“We assure the public that thorough investigation is currently being undertaken to identify the suspect,” Brigadier General Benjamin Acorda Jr., the regional director of PRO-Northern Mindanao, said in his press statement.

On the night of December 22, PDP-Laban and Asenso Ozamiz Local Party members were having a Christmas fellowship party when a “sniper fire” was heard around 8:45 p.m.

The police report stated that the bullet hit the frame of the glass door and the splinter hit the nape of Jason Almonte, who is running as first district representative of Misamis Occidental.

The slug hit the left temple and exited the nape of Lopez Jaena Mayor Michael Gutierrez, who is running for vice governor of the province.

Almonte and Gutierrez were rushed to Misamis University Medical Center in Ozamis City. The former is in stable condition, while the latter was later referred and transported to Mayor Hilarion A. Ramiro Sr. Medical Center in the city.

Also present during the incident was Misamis Occidental Representative Henry Oaminal, who suffered minor bruises in the arm and back of the head.

According to Acorda, Special Investigation Task Group Oaminal-Guitierrez-Almonte has been created for the conduct of focus investigation.

The police regional director also encouraged the public to provide them with relevant information, especially those who have witnessed the incident and report it to the nearest police stations.

Philippine National Police Chief General Dionardo Carlos declared a lockdown of Tangub City following the incident.