VILLANUEVA, Misamis Oriental – A local councilor was injured in an attack by an unidentified assailant near his home in Villanueva, Misamis Oriental, but survived the murder attempt. The incident occurred in the late hours of Sunday evening in Barangay Lourdes Imelda and left the municipal councilor, Hermil Valledor, age 45, with non-life-threatening injuries.
According to Philippines News Agency, spokesperson of Police Regional Office-10 (Northern Mindanao), Valledor is now in stable condition after being shot in the face by the gunman. Navarro, addressing the issue of security for public officials, stated during a radio interview on Monday that elected officials facing threats should actively seek coordination with the police force, which is prepared to provide cooperation and assistance.
Major Renz Marion Serrano, chief of the Villanueva police station, provided further details in his report, stating that Valledor was shot in the right cheek while waiting in a mini-truck outside the gate of his residence. The suddenness of the attack resulted in panic, which led to the inability of the victim and witnesses to discern whether the gunman had a getaway vehicle.
The Villanueva police have launched an investigation into the incident and are currently working to establish the identity of the attacker. A spent .45-caliber cartridge was found at the scene, which is now a key piece of evidence in the ongoing investigation.