CAMP GENERAL ALEJO SANTOS, Bulacan -- A village chief and his wife “miraculously’’ survived an ambush in a remote town in Bulacan last Sunday, according to police.

In his report to Chief Supt. Edgardo T. Ladao, Central Luzon police regional director, Senior Supt. Fernando H. Mendez Jr., acting Bulacan police director identified the victims as Severino Basalio Macapagal, 58 , married, farmer and the Barangay chairman of Barangay Sapang and his wife Celerina Feliciano-Macapagal.

Citing reports from Supt. Marcos C. Rivero, San Miguel police chief, Mendez said Macapagal sustained a bullet wound on the lower right back portion of his body and was rushed to Good Samaritan Hospital, Gapan City, Nueva Ecija for medical treatment. His wife was unhurt.

Investigation showed that Macapagal and his wife were riding a barangay ambulance heading towards Barangay Sapang, when upon reaching Barangay Buga, they came across suspects who appeared on board a motorcycle positioned near the road and fired at them.

Though he was hit by the first volley of fire, the village chief retaliated using his licensed firearm hitting one and prompting the suspects to scamper.

The victim then continued driving the ambulance until he reached his house. His neighbors immediately brought him to a hospital and while the others reported the incident to San Miguel police station.

Upon receiving the report, Rivero and his men conducted a police operation that resulted in the arrest of Edwin Cruz Torres, 34, a farmer of Barangay Balite, San Miguel, Bulacan who was cornered hiding in a NIA canal at Barangay Sapang.

Torres, who also sustained bullet wound, was brought to the Provincial Hospital, Malolos City, Bulacan for treatment.

During the initial questioning, Torres identified his cohort as Pablo Javier, 34, a businessman of Barangay Biclat in same municipality.

In a hot pursuit operation conducted in San Ildefonso town at around 1 p.m. in, Javier was arrested.

Seized from Javier’s possession was a blue Honda XRM motorcycle without plate number allegedly used by the suspects.

Recovered from the ambush site were cartridge cases and deformed slugs for 9mm pistol.

The Barangay ambulance bearing plate number RGX 579 that had bullet holes at its back and right side portion is presently under the custody of San Miguel police station.

Javier is now under the custody of San Miguel police while a criminal complaint is being readied against him and Torres.

The motive of the attack has yet to be determined. Investigation is still ongoing, Mendez said.

The couple also told investigators that they can’t find any reason for the attack. (Freddie C. Velez)