Pampanga businessman survives 2nd slay attempt

MACABEBE, Pampanga, Philippines– A jewelry shop owner survived unscathed a second attempt on his life this year after emerging from a church here Wednesday, authorities said. 

Police said businessman Rolando Yabut, 61, was boarding his Toyota Revo parked in front of the San Rafael Church when the gunman, reportedly riding a motorcycle, shot him several times and then fled.

Yabut managed to run away and hid behind a wall, police said. Probers recovered seven empty shells and five deformed slugs for a .45-caliber pistol.

Early this year, Yabut survived another attack by still unidentified men in Apalit town where he runs a jewelry shop.

Chief Inspector Diosdado Nolasco, Macabebe police chief, said investigators were still clueless on the motive behind the two slay attempts on Yabut’s life but added that political rivalry was being looked into.

Nolasco said Yabut’s wife Estrelita ran for chairman of Barangay San Jose here last year, but lost by a slim margin to Danilo Manarang.

Manarang himself was shot dead last January, paving the way for barangay councilman Francisco Galura to assume his post.

Despite Manarang’s death, Mrs. Yabut pursued her electoral protest, which is pending with the Commission on Elections.

Police advised Yabut to hire security men pending the results of their investigation and the arrest of those behind the slay attempts.