Governor survives assassination attempt in Manila

Manila: The governor of a remote northern Philippine province and his driver survived a pre-dawn assassination attempt in Manila yesterday, which was linked to an old political feud, relatives and police said.

Teleforo Castillejos, the governor of northern island Batanes province, was declared "in a stable condition" following treatment for fatal shots in the neck and shoulder, said doctors at the Medical City in suburban Pasig City, the second hospital where he was brought to after the attempt on his life near the airport in suburban Paranague City.

His driver, Albert Fatimo, was in a critical condition because of two gunshot wounds in his head and one on his shoulder, doctors added.

"We were travelling to the airport on board a Pajero. At 3:30, a vehicle tailed us and we slowed down. When it was near us, I heard a crashing sound, like stones being thrown at us. Then I saw the driver and my father covered with blood. I took the driver's seat and rushed them to the Paranaque Doctors Hospital," said governor's 21-year-old son Dominic, who was not hurt by the attack.

"We came from the Sun Valley in Paranaque City, passed the West Service Road and a south Luzon tollgate before we were attacked," said the son, adding, "The attackers shot from the driver's side. My father was in the front passenger seat."

"Investigators will use the data of a closed circuit television camera at the toll-way of the Southern Luzon Express, to identify the killers," said Senior Superintendent Marieto Valerio, Pasay City's police chief.

Silencers

"It was dark. The governor's son said he saw a blue sports utility vehicle, but could not determine its model or plate number," said Valerio.

"Silencers were used in the gun. Investigators found 9-millimetre shells at the crime scene. It was the handiwork of hired professional killers because of the way they conducted the ambush. They knew that the governor was going to the airport," said Director Geary Barias, National Capital Region police chief.

"Earlier, some politicians had filed a case against the governor before the Ombudsman," said Barias. He did not give more details.

President Gloria Arroyo called for the creation of a task force to speed up the investigation of the case.

Police officials were also deployed at the Pasig City's hospital for the governor's protection.

"Our family would like to inform his constituency in Batanes that the governor is now in stable condition," his nephew, former Congressman Jun Abad, announced on local radio.