TWO police officials were relieved over the killing of former congressman Eufranio Eriguel, Ilocos Police Regional Office director Chief Superintendent Romulo Sapitula said Monday, May 21.
Senior Superintendent Genaro Sapiera, La Union Police Provincial Office director, and Chief Inspector Alfredo Padilla Jr., Agoo Police chief, were relieved “to give way to a stronger leadership” in the said area and investigate them over their possible liability.
"Ayaw naming maulit muli iyong ganung sitwasyon (We do not want a repeat of the situation)," Sapitula said.
He said the order came directly from the Philippine National Police (PNP) headquarters in Camp Crame.
Eriguel was shot dead while having a speech at the barangay’s meeting de avance on May 13, the eve of the 2018 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections.
His two bodyguards and driver were also killed in the incident.
PNP chief Oscar Albayalde said the police arrested one of the suspects identified as Felizardo Villanueva, a candidate in the just-concluded barangay elections.
Albayalde said the killing may have been politically motivated since Eriguel endorsed Villanueva’s rival candidate.
Sapiera will be replaced by Senior Superintendent Adolfo Rafanan while Padilla will be replaced by Chief Inspector Bernabe Oribello. (SunStar Philippines)