2 suspects in Agusan slay freed

BAYUGAN, Agusan del Sur — A Regional Trial Court judge here ordered authorities yesterday to release two suspects in the April 17 killing of a town mayor due to lack of evidence.

Freed were SPO1 Alexander Maghanoy and Delgado Macanlay, who were linked to the gunslaying of Bayugan Mayor Lope Asis.

Last April 25, Asis’ opponent Lorna Amora, who has taken over the mayoral post, filed a writ for habeas corpus, claiming that Maghanoy and Macanlay were denied due process.

Maghanoy, who belongs to the Caraga police, served as Amora’s security escort.

Amora’s camp claimed that the policeman and Macanlay were mere fall guys so Asis’ supporters could blame the killing on their group.

The New People’s Army itself echoed the Amora bloc’s sentiment, saying police arrested Maghanoy and Macan—lay to show that the murder case has been solved.

The NPA’s Fr. Frank Navarro Command earlier owned up to the Asis killing, saying they liquidated the mayor because of his hand in the illegal drug trade in connivance with the police and a political warlord.

The NPA also has claimed responsibility for the assassination of Lapaz Mayor Oscar Torralba for alleged crimes against the people.