Gunman in slay try on barangay chief held

MANILA, Philippines — Police arrested yesterday the suspected gunman in the slay attempt on a barangay chairwoman in Manila over the weekend.

Bong Bucquel was nabbed by operatives of the Manila Police District special operations unit led by Chief Inspector Joselito de Ocampo in front of a barangay hall along Sto. Cristo street in Binondo around 7:30 a.m.

Bucquel denied any participation in the failed attempt on the life of Barangay 270 chief Adora Usero, 47.

Usero had just arrived from the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay where newly elected barangay officials were sworn into office when the suspect broke into her house along Camba street and fired at her on Sunday.

The victim was rushed to the Metropolitan Medical Hospital for treatment.

Usero told probers that Bucquel was offended after she turned down his request to operate a parking business in the barangay in February.

Charges of frustrated homicide were filed against the suspect before the Manila Prosecutor’s Office.