Ex-Lanao mayor, 3 others charged for failed murder

ILIGAN CITY — Four people, including a former town mayor in Lanao del Norte, are facing charges of attempted murder for the slay attempt on a vice mayoral candidate last week.

Charged were former Salvador town mayor Johnny Tawantawan, gunman Rodolfo Lerio and two others identified only as Subair and Bebe, who are both at large.

Prosecutor Roberto Albulario Jr. has recommended P120,000 bail for each of them.

They were linked to the slay attempt on Salvador vice mayoral bet Ramon Yu last March 17.

Police said Tawantawan will be invited for questioning and if he fails to appear, a warrant of arrest will be issued for him.

Yu was about to enter his office when Lerio appeared and tried to shoot him. But Yu grappled for the gun, which went off and alerted passersby who, in turn, called the police for help. Lerio was eventually arrested. — Lino de la Cruz