SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union -- The Philippine National Police (PNP) appointed a new officer-in-charge of the Ilocos Norte Police Provincial Office in connection to the two shooting incidents recently.
Police Senior Superintendent Marlou Chan occupied the post following a directive Monday.
DZJC Aksyon Radyo Laoag anchorman Jovelito Agustin was shot dead last June 15 in Laog City. He was driving a motorcycle home to Bacarra town with his nephew Joseph Agustin.
Joseph was unharmed and he was able to pinpoint the suspects of the shooting.
With the vital testimonies from them, the Laoag City police filed criminal cases against Pacifico Velasco, Bacarra town vice mayor-elect, and the triggerman identified as Leonardo Banaag Jr.
The case was filed before the Office of the City Prosecutor of Laoag City docketed as NPS Doc. I-15 _IN1-10F-00140.
Last June 21, the van of Matilde Sales, mayor-elect of Pagudpud town, Laoag City, was peppered with bullets while traversing the highway towards Laoag City.
Two other occupants of the van, namely, Estelita Baptista and Bernardo Domogon, were unhurt.
From the reports gathered from the regional police headquarters, the ambush incident happened at the highway near the boundary of the towns of Burgos and Bangui.
Sales was unhurt. His two escorts, Mario Monje and Fertopel Caletena however died due to multiple gushot wounds.
Monje died on the spot while Caletena died while undergoing medical treatment at the Governor Roque Ablan Sr. Memorial Hospital. The driver of the van, Manolito Rangasan, was also wounded and is undergoing treatment.
Elements of the Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) initially recovered at the crime scene seven spent shells of caliber 56 M16 Armalite rifle.
Follow-up scouring at the area resulted to the recovery of three more empty shells of M14 and 10 empty shells of M16.
Meanwhile, Police Regional Director Constante Azares Jr. retired from the service yesterday (Tuesday). He was succeeded by Chief Superintendent Manuelito Cachero.
PNP Chief Jesus Verzosa and his wife were the guests of honor during the retirement honors given to Azares. (Liway C. Manantan-Yparraguirre)