Friday, April 14, 2006 (Philippines)

SURGEONS of the Chong Hua Hospital in Cebu City operate on Bantay Dagat chief Elpidio de la Victoria. Surgery was completed but doctors could not yet declare his condition stable and out of danger. De la Victoria has figured prominently in the campaign to protect the Visayan Seas from illegal and unauthorized fishing. the campaign aims to exclude commercial fishing operators from the area. (CONTRIBUTED FOTO/JACK JAKOSALEM) CEBU City Government official Elpidio “Jojo” de la Victoria was shot three times yesterday while he was about to enter the gate of his house in San Roque, Talisay City. Bullets hit de la Victoria in the arm, thigh and back, with one bullet tearing out through his abdomen. He was, however, conscious at the Chong Hua emergency room, while doctors prepared for his transfer to the operating theater. Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña offered a reward of P200,000 for information leading to the arrest of de la Victoria’s gunman. [full story]