Sursur board member survives assassination

By Ben Serrano,
Correspondent

BUTUAN City — A provincial board member of the second district of Surigao del Sur province survived an assassination attempt when unidentified gunmen waylaid his vehicle along the national highway in Sitio Tandawan, Barangay San Vicente, Bislig City on Thursday at about 1:25 pm, police reported over the weekend.

In his report, Bislig City Chief of Police Supt. Renier Diaz said Board Member Apolinario Suan, Sr., 57, sustained gunshot wounds to his right forearm and right leg as a result of the ambush.

Suan used to serve as the village chief of San Vicente and became president of the Association of Barangay Chairpersons of Bislig City before he ran and won the provincial board seat in the May 9 Elections.

Suan is also a hard-hitting radio commentator of Real Radio 101.7 FM station in Bislig City where he criticizes the city mayor in his program.

In a phone interview, PO3 Arnold Tucong told Gold Star Daily that Suan was together with seven other companions onboard his SUV Toyota Land Cruiser with plate number XFT 259 from Bislig City enroute to his residence in Barangay San Vicente.

According to Bislig City Police, while Suan’s vehicle was cruising the national highway a silver colored Hi-Ace Van was tailing them. Suddenly, the van overtook Suan’s vehicle and opened fire.

Suan’s companion known only as Dodong Suan died on the spot while his driver, Rocel Alba,  sustained gunshot wounds to his right back shoulder. Suan’s escort Joebert Hurado sustained two gunshot wounds to his back and left shoulder.

Suan and his two wounded companions are now confined and treated at Andres Soriano Memorial Hospital in Bislig City.

Diaz said he deployed police security personnel for Suan and the two others’ safety while being treated at the hospital.

Diaz said they are still investigating the ambush further.