Baquerfo supporters accused of shooting Granada backers

CEBU - Two supporters of Tudela mayoralty candidate Rogelio Baquerfo were accused of shooting at four supporters of Baquerfo’s rival Demetrio Granada around 8 a.m. yesterday morning in barangay Southern Poblacion, Tudela town.

Police arrested the suspects identified as Resty Casun, 27, a resident of Cambiano, Dalaguete town, and Ricky Ople, alias “Ricky Borbon”, 34, of barangay McArthur, Tudela.

Tudela police chief Sr. Insp. Ramon Villar said that it was market day in the barangay and the two suspects happened upon the four Granada supporters in the port area of barangay Southern Poblacion.

The four Granada supporters alleged pelted the two suspects with stones and chased them away. But the two later returned to the place and Casun tried to shoot them with an Ingram pistol.

The police official said that Casun was only able to fire once before the gun jammed.

Casun passed the gun to Ople before running. Responding policemen from the said police station immediately apprehended Casun.

Police received a tip that Ople ran toward the municipal hall and entered mayor Baquerfo’s office, Villar led a police team to the mayor’s office but failed to find Ople there. Ople was arrested two hours later outside his house.

Both suspects will be submitted to a paraffin test. Charges for frustrated murder and illegal possession of firearms will be filed against Casun while charges for concealing a deadly weapon will be filed against Ople after a knife was confiscated from him. 

Baquerfo and Granada have been fighting for the post since last year. The Commission on Elections has yet to decide on who should sit as mayor of the town. — Niña Chrismae G. Sumacot/BRP   (THE FREEMAN)