Ilocos mayor's cop aide slain

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – A policeman serving as a close-in bodyguard of Bacarra, Ilocos Norte Mayor Nicomedes de la Cruz was gunned down in front of the cockpit arena in Sarrat town Thursday.

PO3 Juanito Sagayaga was reportedly heading home with his companions from a derby when he was attacked.

Sagayaga reportedly acted as a proxy of De la Cruz who was one of the sponsors in the two-cock derby.

Lawmen were able to arrest the gunman, who Senior Superintendent Benjamin Lusad, Ilocos Norte police director, refused to identify yet pending the formal filing of charges against him. – Artemio Dumlao