AGOO, La Union -- A police officer and six other security personnel were ordered relieved Saturday after a shooting incident that involved supporters of two local politicians in this province.
The shooting incident happened around 2:45 p.m. on Good Friday when supporters of Dr. Eufranio Eriguel, a congressional candidate of La Union’s second district, surrounded the residential compound of mayoralty candidate Ma. Theresa Dumpit-Michellena, the police said.
Shouting ensued between the two camps, followed by gunfire allegedly from both sides that lasted for several minutes.
The exchange of gunshots only stopped when the supporters fled upon the arrival of responding policemen from the Agoo Police Station.
Although nobody was hurt in the incident, Philippine National Police Chief Director General Jesus Verzosa ordered the relief of this town’s chief-of-police and security personnel of Eriquel and Michellena.
The six policemen placed under restrictive custody at the regional police headquarters are Police Officer 3 Ronald Carig, Police Officer 2 Jose Rebualos, Senior Police Officer 2 Mark Cera, Police Officer 3 Marturo Lachica, Senior Police Officer 4 Antonio Casem, and Police Officer 3 Romil Dacanay.
They also underwent paraffin testing at the Regional Crime Laboratory Office to determine if they fired their guns.
"Likewise, I have directed the deployment of a team from the 1st Regional Public Safety Management Battalion to conduct intensified checkpoint and patrol activities in the area,” said Police Regional Office-National Capital Region Director Constante D. Azares Jr.
Azares also formed a Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) San Julian to conduct an in-depth probe on the shooting incident.
Azares said the SITG San Julian is now in the process of compiling testimonies of witnesses and other evidence to support the filing of appropriate cases.
This town is included in the election watchlist areas in La Union province. (LCMY/Sunnex)