Armed men suspected to ambush Mayor Yap nabbed in Sarangani

GLAN, Sarangani (April 26, 2010) – Joint operation of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and elements of the Philippine Army 73rd Infantry Battalion here nabbed four armed suspects who were reportedly accused of attempting to ambush incumbent Mayor Enrique “Yoyong” Yap at Sitio Tamparan, Barangay Pangyan at past midnight today (April 26).

Police initial investigation showed that the suspects were identified as Jimmy Mier, 39, resident of Zamboanga del Sur; Alfredo Macabayao,of legal age, with unknown address; Fredie Mendes; and one Ronald Elorde, both residents of Barangay Calumpang, General Santos City.

Recovered from the suspects were one unit of M16 armalite rifle with serial number 121553, one long and short magazine with 48 live ammunitions which were placed under the seat near the back portion ofthe gray Toyota Hi-Ace van driven by Macabayao and one caliber .45 pistol bearing serial number 90100978 with steel magazine and 18 live ammunitions placed inside a combat boots at the back portion of the white Toyota Hi-Ace van driven by Elorde.

The two vans, with plate number MDM-577(gray van) and RBR-709(whitevan), are now under the custody of Glan PNP.

One of the vehicles has Pacquiao sticker, but was covered with masking tape.Reports said the gray Toyota Hi-Ace van was allegedly owned by Mrs. Jinkee Pacquiao, but Col. Restito Gatera, PNP provincial director,said that the report is still under investigation.

“We are still verifying with the LTO kung sino talaga ang may-ari ngsasakyan,” Gatera said, adding that they are also in the process ofpreparing the necessary documents for the filing of charges againstthe suspects.“We do not know if Mayor Yap will sue the suspects. Sa ngayon, hindi namin tinututukan ang kaso ni Mayor Yap, tinututukan namin yungpagka-recover ng mga armas sa loob ng van for violation of Comelec gunban,” he said.

Mayor Yap, on the other hand, who is in his final term and now vice mayoralty candidate under Sarangani Reconciliation and ReformationOrganization (Sarro)/Lakas-Kampi-CMD, Pacquiao’s political party opponent, said that he was onboard his vehicle when he was waylaid by the suspects’ vehicles. One of them reportedly flagged down his vehicle with an armalite rifle.

Yap’s Toyota Land Cruiser immediately sped off and the mayor called for police backup, thus the suspects’ apprehension.

Gatera said the PNP is planning to beef-up Comelec checkpoints allover the province.“Actually, ang plano namin, two weeks before the conduct of election,we will enhance surprise Comelec checkpoints in Sarangani Province and we plan to mobilize all PNP personnel even our administrative personnel to also conduct surprise checkpoints,’ he said. (SARANGANIINFORMATION OFFICE)