PPA official shot dead in Bataan

CAM P OLI VAS, Pampanga A top official of the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) in Bataan was killed while his administrative officer seriously wounded after in an ambush along the busy Roman Highway, Limay, Bataan, Friday.

Senior Superintendent Marcelo Dayag, Bataan police provincial director, said Froilan Abella, 60, PPA - Bataan manager, a resident of Bacoor, Cavite, was declared dead an hour after he was rushed to the St. Michael Hospital in Orion, Bataan.

Jocelyn Reyes, 49, PPA procurement officer and acting administrative officer, resident of San Nicolas, Cavite, sustained gunshot wounds and underwent operation at the same hospital.

Reyes’ husband Christian, 37, a driver of the PPA, was not hurt but still suffering from trauma. The Reyes couple are recuperating in a hospital room guarded by PPA security guard and soldiers.

Dayag said the victims came from the PPA office at the Port of Lamao and on their way home to Cavite when the gunmen assaulted them at about 5:30 in the afternoon.

A gray SUV reportedly overtook from the slow or outer lane of the road and started firing at Abella’s vehicle.

Around 20 shots were fired mostly hitting the window of the front passenger seat where Abella was seated, police said.

Jocelyn on the other hand was seated at the back seat.

Police recovered from the crime scene bullet shells of .45 caliber and 9mm caliber pistols.

The report said Abella’s wife who arrived from Cavite said her husband come home every Friday afternoon and report back to work every Monday. (Ric Sapnu)