DEPUTY speaker and Misamis Occidental Rep. Henry Oaminal and two other aspirants in next year’s elections were injured in a sniper attack during a Christmas party in Tangub City, Misamis Occidental on Wednesday night.
Oaminal, who suffered bruises, condemned the attack that he described as a “desperate and cowardly attempt on our lives.”
Police said members of PDP-Laban and local party Asenso Ozamiz were having a Christmas party at the Working Coffee building in Barangay 7 at around 8:45 p.m. when a shot rang out, believed to have come from a sniper.
The bullet hit the frame of a glass door and the slug hit the nape of former Mayor Jason Almonte of Oroquieta City, who is running for congressman of the province’s first district.
The slug then hit the left temple and exited the nape of Mayor Michael Gutierrez of Lopez Jaena town, also in Misamis Occidental, who is running for vice governor of the province.
PNP spokesman Col. Roderick Alba said Oaminal suffered “minor bruises in the arm and back of the head.”
The three were brought to the Misamis University Medical Center. Oaminal and Almonte were later discharged but Gutierrez underwent an operation and is said to be in critical condition.
“The assassin’s bullet barely missed me, with the intention of bereaving my beloved family this Yuletide season,” Oaminal said in his Facebook page.
“While I only suffered minor wounds, vice gubernatorial candidate Michael Gutierrez and congressional candidate Jason Almonte were both hit. Jason is now okay,” Oaminal added.
Oaminal appealed to the public to pray for Gutierrez’s “complete recovery, and everyone’s safety.”
Alba said PNP chief Dionardo Carlos has ordered the creation of a special investigation task group (SITG) that will investigate the incident.
Northern Mindanao regional police director Brig. Gen. Benjamin Acorda also condemned the attack.
