Former Bulacan vice mayor dies in ambush

By Franco G. Regala

PANDI, Bulacan — The former vice mayor of this town was killed by a lone gunman here along Barangay Manatal Monday evening.

Town police head Chief Insp. Victor Gatdula Bernabe, identified the slain victim as Roberto Rivera, 62, businessman resident of Barangay Bunsuran, Pandi.

Bernabe said that the victim was on board a White Nissan (pick-up) with plate No. UHU-942 on his way home to Barangay Bunsuran after his visit to his farm in Barangay Bagbaguin and upon reaching Barangay Manatal, one of the unidentified gunmen shot him several times on the head and body.

The suspect fled on foot and boarded a tricycle driven and upon reaching the TODA  terminal of Manantan, Pandi,  transferred to another tricycle.

The victim was brought to Rogaciano Mercado Memorial Medical Center in Sta. Maria, Bulacan where he was pronounced dead on arrival (DOA). He sustained three gunshot wounds on his head and two on his body.

Recovered from the crime scene were five empty shells, one live bullet and one deformed slug of caliber 45.

During the conduct of follow-up operation, a CCTV review showed that the suspect was being backed-up by a dark green Toyota Corolla with plate No. TFZ 612.