ILOILO CITY – A reelected barangay captain, his wife, and poll watchers survived a gun attack by a losing candidate in the barangay elections in Lambunao, Iloilo on Monday, October 30.
BULLET holes are seen in the vehicle of reelected Barangay Captain Renato Lasado Lebuna of Barangay Pajo, Lambunao, Iloilo. Lebuna survived an ambush by his opponent on Election Day. (Janice Rabadon Facebook)
Police Major Jogen Suegay, Lambunao police chief, said the incident occurred around 11:50 p.m.
Suegay, in a phone interview on Tuesday, October 31, said the attack against Barangay Captain Renato Lasado Lebuna of Barangay Pajo by Dioscoro “Utay” Lozada Jr. happened after Lebuana was proclaimed winner in the elections.
A second-termer, Lebuna was on board his Isuzu Crosswind with his wife and dropping off his poll watchers to their homes when Lozada appeared and fired at the victim’s vehicle.
Police recovered seven .45 caliber pistol slugs.
Suegay said Lebuana and his poll watchers were unhurt but the village official’s wife sustained a minor injury and was taken to the nearest hospital.
Lozada who escaped after the shooting overwhelmingly lost to Lebuana.
More than 1,100 votes were cast and Lebuna garnered more than 800 with Lozada only managing more than 180 votes.
Lebuna is reportedly set to file criminal charges against Lozada for attempting to murder him.