MANILA, Philippines – A former vice mayor of Lingayen, Pangasinan and his wife were ambushed in front of their children’s rented apartment in Sampaloc, Manila Wednesday night.
According to a report by Sampaloc station commander Superintendent Rolando Balasabas, Ramon Arcinue and his wife, Zorahayda, both 55, had dinner with their two sons at a mall and had just arrived at the apartment on Maceda street when they were attacked at around 10:40 p.m.
Zorahayda was the incumbent barangay chairperson of Barangay Poblacion in Lingayen. Their son, JC, will graduate this March.
According to ABS-CBN, Ramon was first heard having an argument with the gunman before he was shot. Zorahayda, upon hearing the noise outside the apartment, went outside and was also attacked. They were shot in the head.
The attacker spared their sons, who, along with other family members, rushed the couple to the University of Santo Tomas Hospital. They were declared dead about an hour later.
Witnesses said the attacker fled on foot and boarded a bus along España Boulevard.
Pangasinan Rep. Leopoldo Bataoil, who went to the hospital after learning of the attack, condemned the killing and assured the couple’s relatives – including their nephew, Sual, Pangasinan Mayor John Arcinue – that he will follow up the case and coordinate security measures for the family.
Bataoil, a retired police officer and a former Philippine National Police spokesman, said he already talked to the officer of the Manila Police District “to leave no stone unturned” and had advised Pangasinan police director Senior Superintendent Rosueto Ricaforte to assist, coordinate and share information.”
Lingayen Mayor Ernesto Castañeda Jr. said he is saddened by the Arcinue couple’s death.
In March last year, Ramon and Zorahayda were wounded in an ambush along the national highway in Barangay Biec, Binmaley town. - By Eva Visperas
