Zamboanga lawmaker says he survived assassination

MANILA, Philippines – Zamboanga del Norte Rep. Seth Frederick Jalosjos said yesterday he survived an assassination attempt on Tuesday.

“I am confirming that there was indeed an attempt on my life yesterday, April 26, at the public market in Barangay Poblacion, La Libertad during the miting de avance of the Alliance of Parties for Progress-Nacionalista Party,” Jalosjos said in a statement.

“At around 4:15 p.m., as I was approaching the podium, several persons carrying firearms with some wearing military uniform suddenly fired multiple shots at our direction. As the crowd dispersed, the armed group advanced toward us. A shootout occurred for about 15 minutes,” he said.

Jalosjos said “not one policeman” came during the encounter between his bodyguards and the assailants even though their outpost was only across the street.

“They could have easily responded if they wanted to. But they opted to simply sit in the police station throughout the entire incident. It was impossible not to hear the gunshots,” he added.

Jalosjos said a number of his local leaders and supporters who were attacked in the past few weeks were “not able to obtain any assistance, support, protection, or remedy from the provincial police.”

”I am speaking to expose this lawlessness and to hopefully put a stop to the blatant injustice threatening the elections in the province,” he said.