MARTIZANO (center). (PRO-13 FB)
BUTUAN CITY – The mayor of Barobo town in Surigao del Sur province and his close-in security detail were wounded in an ambush in Causwagan, Barobo on Tuesday afternoon, Jan. 3.
Mayor Ronito L. Martizano, 60, was wounded in the shoulder and his security Private First Class Kheven Mark Claridad also sustained a bullet wound in the shoulder.
Martizano’s van sustained bullet holes and his driver managed to proceed to Barobo Hospital. The mayor and Claridad are in stable condition.
Initial investigation from the Barobo Municipal Police Station (MPS) and Surigao del Sur Police Provincial Office (PPO) said that the mayor was travelling in a Toyota Hi-Ace van from a Barangay Polong-Polong in Sitio Panaraga in Barangay Gamut when gunmen on board a gray Toyota Vios, along with two unidentified motorcycles, each with a back rider, appeared and shot them.
The gunmen fled towards Agusan del Sur province.
Martizano was attacked after he ordered the total stoppage of illegal tunnel mining operations in Barangay Tambis.
Police Regional Office-13 Public Information Office chief Police Major Jennifer S. Ometer said that PRO-13 Director Police Brig. Gen. Marcial Mariano P. Magistrado IV has ordered a thorough manhunt against the suspects and investigation of the incident.