Political coordinator survives shooting in Zamboanga del Sur town

Photo fron Hilbert Pedroza’s Facebook page

PAGADIAN CITY, ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR, Philippines — Mayoralty candidate Leonardo Babasa Jr. of Bayog town, Zamboanga del Sur condemned the attack against his political coordinator on Thursday night, raising tensions related to the May 12 elections.

Babasa identified the victim as Hilbert Intong Pedroza, 33, of Barangay Dipili, Bayog who survived a gun attack at past 7 p.m. on Thursday.

Babasa said Pedroza was with his 3-year-old son buying milk in a store when attacked by two unidentified men.

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Pedroza saw the gunman drew his gun hence “he immediately ducked down to avoid the bullet,” Babasa said.

Col. Bonifacio Arañas Jr., Zamboanga del Sur Police Provincial Director, said the victim sustained a gunshot wound on his right leg and was initially treated at the Bayog Rural Health Unit before being transferred to Margosatubig Regional Hospital, in Margosatubig town.

The assailants boarded a motorcycle and immediately fled the crime scene toward Barangay Poblacion.

Police investigators recovered seven cartridge cases and one slug for caliber .45 gun from the crime scene.

The Bayog police were conducting an ongoing investigation to identify and apprehend the attackers.

Babasa believes the attack could be linked to the May 12 local contest.