Only a week before the May 13 midterm elections, Garchitorena, Camarines Sur Mayor Nelson Bueza, his wife, his running mate, and a driver were attacked by still unidentified armed men before dawn Monday but survived, police said.
They made the statement even as a regional court on Monday ordered the arrest of suspended Daraga, Albay Mayor Carlwyn Baldo in connection with the killing of AKO Bicol Party-list Rep. Rodel Batocabe and his police escort in December last year.
READ: Batocabe slay: 2 more suspects surrender
According to Mark Makalalad’s report on Super Radyo dzBB, the issuance of the arrest warrant was confirmed by Albay police chief Col. Wilson Asueta.
The warrant for two counts of murder was signed by Legazpi City Regional Trial Court Branch 10 Judge Maria Theresa Loquillano.
The 57-year-old reelectionist Bueza and wife Yolly, 50; Garchitorena town councilor and vice mayoral candidate Marcelo Aragdon, 58; and driver Errol Arcilla, 30, were aboard an SUV and negotiating Fuentebella Highway in Toytoy village when gunmen attacked them around 1:25 a.m.
The victims were going home from Tigaon town, also in Camarines Sur.
Police said aside from gunshots, an explosion was also heard during the ambush.
The four were unharmed, according to police, but the vehicle was damaged by a suspected improvised explosive device.
Investigators are trying to determine if the ambush was related to the local election.
Bueza and Aragdon are running under the Nationalist People’s Coalition party.
