Rebel returnee shot dead as son, daughter survive ambush
ROXAS CITY – A rebel returnee was shot dead while his son was wounded and a daughter unhurt when two unidentified gunmen staged an ambushed while the trio was on the way to school around 6:30 a.m. yesterday.
The incident occurred along Block 3 of Alvarez Subdivision, Barangay 10 this city.
Police Superintendent Leo Batiles, Roxas City Police Chief, identified the fatality as 55 year-old Levy Haligado Hurtada of San Lorenzo Village, Punta Tabuc, Roxas City.
Hurtada sustained multiple gunshot wounds on the head, chest area and at the back, all proved to be fatal shots. He was rushed to the Capiz Emmanuel Hospital but Declared On Arrival (DOA) by Dr. Nelson Oquindo,
Hurtada’s son 13 year-old Lian Levy, a first year high school student of Capiz National High School (CNH) was hit by the bullet at his left hand. He is now admitted at the same hospital where he is out of danger.
On the other hand, 11 year-old daughter Princes, a grade six pupil of President Manuel Roxas Memorial School (PMRS) was unharmed during the ambush.
Recovered at the scene of incident were: One unit of single motorcycle, color blue Predator 150 used by the victims, 2 empty shells of .45 caliber, 3 empty shells of 9mm, 1 live ammunition of 9mm and 1 slug of 9mm.
SP03 Orly Baril, investigator of the Roxas PNP Station, revealed that the two suspects who were wearing a six-pocket camouflage short pants and wearing black jacket shot Hurtada several times and fled away towards Kilometer one.
Baril said that Hurtada together with son and daughter were riding at the single motorcycle when assailants open fired towards the latter at close ranges. He added that the suspects are 5’5” to 5’6” in heights at their late 20’s.
Leonila, wife of the slain rebel returnee, told The News Today (TNT) that it was customary for her husband to take their son and daughter to Capiz National High School and PMRS respectively every morning.
She added that her husband had no death threats nor known foes.
Hurtada alyas commander ‘Mama’, a native of Cuartero, was a finance officer of Communist Party of the Philippines/News People’s Army (CPP-NPA) Eastern Front Committee. He went back to the fold of the law in 1992 during the stint of former Governor Esteban Contreras.
He was a recipient of several financial assistance under the amnesty program of the national government. At time of his death, Hurtada was into the sand and gravel business here.
Meanwhile, Batiles said police investigation continues to ascertain the motive of the killing.