Our killed in amar am ush

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte – Four people - a businessman, two barangay (village) kagawads (officers) and a child were killed, one was wounded and a lady barangay chairwoman survived an attack by still unidentified armed men in interior Barangay Caugbasan, Gandara town, Samar last Friday morning.

In a phone interview, Gandara Mayor Eufemio Oliva denounced the violent incident and called for an immediate investigation so that the victims are given justice.

Oliva identified those killed as copra trader Pepe Ocong, Brgy. Kagawads Alvin Casaljay and Michael Ocong, and Ocong’s son, RR. The wounded person was identified as Aquino Ocong. All those killed were farmers and residents of Barangay Bislig, Gandara.

Bislig Barangay Chairwoman Maria Ocong survived the ambush.

Oliva said an unidentified armed group fired their guns at the victims who were riding a motorized banca. Four died on the spot while wounded Aquino Ocong was rushed to a Calbayog City hospital for medical treatment.

The four fatalities and the wounded victim were on their way to the town proper of Gandara when they were ambushed.

"I want this incident to be properly investigated in order that the victims are given justice. I thought that our area was already peaceful and then came this ambush," Oliva told Manila Bulletin.

He said the Gandara local government unit (LGU) will shoulder the funeral expenses of the casualties.

Last month, former Gandara town mayor Antonieto Cabueños was also ambushed and wounded in nearby San Jorge town, Samar.

The former mayor was wounded on his right leg and is still recuperating from the injury.

The motive behind the ambush incidents has yet to be determined.