Ex-fireman, partner ambushed

CEBU, Philippines - A retired firefighter and his common-law wife were ambushed by unidentified suspects at Sitio Nangka, Barangay Subayon, Toledo City around noon last Tuesday.

Isabelo Gamboa Diaz, 62, a retired senior fire officer, and his wife, Iris Jane Acedera Malangit, 25, were on board a motorcycle on their way back home when they were ambushed in a secluded and isolated area.

Police Officer 3 Carlos Barluado of the Toledo Police Station said Diaz and Malangit initially were able to evade their perpetrators after Diaz noticed that the suspects aimed their gun at them.

While the couple maneuvered their way out of danger, the unknown assailants reportedly gave chase and shot them, hitting them in the different parts of their bodies.

“Giatangan sila.  Unya bukid man ning lugara gud ug nakit-an ra man ni ilang lawas didto dapit sa kalsada,” he said.

After hearing gunshots, two farmers, who asked not to be named, immediately went to the place where the incident happened and saw the body of the victims already sprawled along the road, said Police Superintendent Anthony Bagarinao.

He added that the witnesses also saw the suspects casually walked away from the crime scene, which prompted the former to immediately call the Toledo Police Station to report the incident.

“Pagpusil nila kay nakadagan naman dayon sila human makit-i sa mga mag-uuma,” he added.

Diaz and Malangit were rushed to the Toledo District Hospital but they were declared dead upon arrival.  Their remains were brought to the Poblacion Celestial Funeral Homes. — Mary Ferchel B. Cui (FREEMAN)