Accomplice in Ilocos Norte INEC exec's slay identified

CURRIMAO, Ilocos Norte, Philippines – Police yesterday identified one of the killers in the cold-blooded murder of Ilocos Norte Electric Cooperative (INEC) board president Lorenzo Rey Ruiz last Friday.

Police identified the suspect as Juanito Mateo Ancheta, a resident of Dadalaquiten, Sinait, Ilocos Sur.

Ancheta was killed when Ruiz’s driver caught up with the suspects and managed to shoot back at the assailants, also wounding two others last Friday.

Police suspected that Ancheta belonged to a gun-for-hire syndicate.

A background check showed Ancheta left Sinait town several years ago and settled in Barangay Caraitan, Badoc, Ilocos Norte.

An investigator who requested anonymity said Badoc is a known lair of guns-for-hire syndicates.

Police said a follow-up investigation is underway to confirm their suspicions on Ancheta’s background.

Ruiz, 57, was shot at close range by motorcycle-riding men on the morning of Sept. 4 in Langayan, Currimao, Ilocos Norte.

The two men followed Ruiz’s van as it entered the INEC compound, waited for Ruiz to alight from the van and then pumped two bullets into his chest.

Ruiz and other INEC officials were scheduled to attend a board meeting in Currimao that day.

Ruiz’s driver was able to run after the suspects and shoot Ancheta.

Ancheta fell off the motorcycle but the other killer was able to escape on another motorcycle driven by a look-out who waited outside the compound.

Both Ruiz and Ancheta were proclaimed dead on arrival at the Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital in Batac, Ilocos Norte.

Chief Superintendent Ramon Gatan, Ilocos police director, said he ordered Ilocos Norte Police director Senior Superintendent Benjamin Lusad to conduct manhunt operations for the suspects and determine the motive behind the ambush.

Ruiz had been the head of the highest-earning cooperative in the province for five years.

An election of new officers is due this October, and many are reportedly eyeing the post.