Task force formed to probe Ilocos ambush

CAMP FLORENDO, La Union, Philippines – The Ilocos regional police has created Task Group Diego to conduct an in-depth investigation into the ambush that killed a Nationalista Party (NP) councilor candidate in Dingras, Ilocos Norte and wounded eight others last Monday.

Chief Superintendent Ramon Gatan, outgoing Ilocos regional police director, ordered the creation of the task force, named after the lone fatality, Barangay Lanas chairwoman Jo-en Caniete Diego, for the immediate solution of the case.

Gatan directed Senior Superintendents Benjamin Lusad and Alejandro Valerio Jr., Ilocos Norte police director and commander of the 1st Regional Public Safety Management Battalion, respectively, to assist in the investigation.

“We expect to obtain more information relative to the case shortly, and we will give regular updates to the media on the developments of this case,” said Gatan, who retired yesterday and will be replaced by Chief Superintendent Constante Azares Jr.

Ilocos Norte Rep. Roque Ablan Jr. told The STAR that the perpetrators of the ambush allegedly belong to private armies being coddled by influential persons.   

The ambuscade happened at around 1:30 a.m. Monday in Barangay San Esteban when armed men wearing ski masks sprayed bullets on the four-vehicle convoy of the victims led by Sangguniang Panlalawigan member Robert Castro, who is seeking re-election.

Castro and Joeffrey Ponce Saguid, a barangay chairman who is running for Dingras mayor under the NP slate, together with Diego and other companions, had just attended a Christmas program in Barangay Bagut where Castro was the guest of honor when they were waylaid.

Castro and Saguid were wounded in the attack, along with SPO1 Cesar Sabado and Joel Rosqueta, security escort and driver of Castro, respectively; Sangguniang Bayan member Jose Mari Genaro Albano; PO1 Joel Natividad; and a certain Gaudencio Teodoro and Fernando Sebastian.