Suspect in ambush of electric coop exec nabbed

MANILA, Philippines -An alleged member of a private armed group was arrested for the ambush of a president of Ilocos Norte Electric Cooperative (INEC) last year.

Arrested was Jonathan Bagamaspad, 43, a resident of Barangay Bungcag, Dingras town and member of a private armed group allegedly identified with Dingras Mayor Marynette Gamboa.

Senior Superintendent Marlou Chan, Ilocos Norte police chief, said Bagamaspad was one of the suspects in the killing of INEC president Lorenzo Rey Ruiz on Sept. 4, 2009.

Ruiz, father of The Philippine STAR desk editor Cheeko Ruiz, was shot in the chest, neck, and head. His driver bumped the gunman’s motorcycle, but he managed to escape.

Combined elements of police units in Ilocos Norte arrested Bagamaspad at a checkpoint in Barangay Balacad, Laoag City. He was in a Toyota RAV4, which was part of a convoy of vehicles led by Gamboa.

During inspection, police found Bagamspad with a licensed .45 caliber pistol but he failed to present a permit to carry firearm outside of residence.

Chan said Bagamaspad is also one of the respondents in the ambush of Barangay Captain Jo-en Canete in Barangay San Esteban, Dingras on Dec. 28, 2009.

Canete died while her companion, former Sangguniang Panlalawigan member Robert Castro, was seriously wounded.

The arrest of Bagamaspad came in the wake of the recent directive by the Philippine National Police to sustain the drive against private armed groups.                – Cecille Suerte Felipe