Cop kills Cagayan governor's 2 bodyguards

MANILA, Philippines - A policeman assigned as a security escort of Cagayan Gov. Alvaro Antonio allegedly shot dead two of the governor’s bodyguards in Quezon City Sunday night.

Police said the shooting may have been triggered by a disagreement over their rotation in securing the governor.

Chief Inspector Benjamin Elenzano Jr., Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit (CIDU) homicide investigation chief, identified the fatalities as Allan Tiemsen, 31, and Joel Boklog, both security officers of Antonio. They temporarily resided at the governor’s house on Abalon street in North Fairview.

Police said bullets that killed Tiemsen and Boklog came from an M-16 assault rifle reportedly taken by Senior Police Officer 3 Eliseo Vergara Jr., who is detailed with the Philippine National Police’s Police Security and Protection Office at Camp Crame. The PSPO assigned him to Antonio.

Records show that Vergara, the victims, and two of the governor’s drivers were drinking beer at the governor’s house to celebrate Vergara’s birthday.

Police said there was a heated discussion over their schedule in guarding the governor, and an enraged Vergara allegedly grabbed his M-16 rifle and shot the victims at around 9:30 p.m.

Scene of the Crime Operatives recovered 11 M-16 shells.

Vergara reportedly fled after the shooting, accompanied by drivers Chito Quintos and Rico Trinidad. Elenzano said they appear to have fled out of fear over being implicated in the killing of Tiemsen and Boklog.

Elenzano said they have yet to establish the real motive in the killing. He said his men are digging into the background and personal circumstan-ces of the suspect and has sought the cooperation of Antonio in helping resolve the case.

The governor was not around at the time of the shooting, investigators said.