Driver, 2 bodyguards of Albay mayor slain

LEGAZPI CITY — The driver and two bodyguards of the mayor of Pio Duran, Albay were found dead yesterday morning, a day after they were snatched at gunpoint in Ligao City, the police said.

Chief Superintendent Victor Boco, Bicol police director, identified the three as Fernando Arciaga, 34; Jun Casimero, 34; and Dindo Losama, 35. Their bodies bore multiple gunshot wounds.

Probers recovered four spent M-16 shells and 14 empty M-14 shells and a pair of broken handcuffs at the site in Barangay Salvacion where their bodies were found.

Pio Duran Mayor Dante Arandia said at least eight men brandishing M-14 and M-16 rifles flagged them down at about 5 p.m. last Tuesday while they were headed for Pio Duran from the Bicol University Agricultural College where they took part in the Kilusan Laban sa Kahirapan(KALAHI) program in Guinobatan town.

He recalled that four of the armed men poked their M-16 rifles at him while the others forcibly took the victims to higher ground.

After a few minutes of scuffle, Arandia said he, along with the wife of a councilor, managed to board their vehicle and drive away and reported the incident to the Army’s 65th Infantry Battalion under Lt. Col. Arturo Dumaligan.

He said the armed men took his licensed 9-mm pistol, P4,000 in cash, cellular phones and office documents.

"I’m still not sure if they were New People’s Army rebels or armed goons," he said.

Arandia said his political opponents are preparing recall proceedings against him.

"I can identify the four armed men if I will be able to confront them," he said.

Chief Superintendent Boco has ordered Senior Inspector Arnel Rabe, Ligao City police chief, to investigate the