Murder raps filed vs Ilocos mayor

LAOAG CITY , Philippines  – Murder and other charges were filed against a town mayor and seven others for the death of a Nacionalista Party councilor bet who was killed when armed men fired upon the vehicle she was riding in along with other NP bets on Dec. 28.

Charged were Dingras, Ilocos Norte Mayor Marineth Gamboa, Roger Gamboa who is said to be a relative of the mayor, Association of Barangay Captains president Leandro Nanac and his brother Lolito, Jonathan Bagamaspad, Ireneo Baptista, Johnny Villanueva and Albert Balbas.

They are also facing frustrated murder, multiple attempted murder and direct assault on an agent of a person in authority charges.

Police said they were charged on the basis of the testimonies of 10 witnesses.

Killed in the Dec. 28 ambush was barangay captain Jo-en Caniete-Diego of Lanas, Dingras, an NP bet for Dingras councilor. Four others led by reelectionist board member Robert Castro were seriously wounded during the incident.

Also in the ambushed vehicle was Jeffry Saguid, NP bet for Dingras mayor, but he came out of the ambush unscathed when he used a bullet-proof vest to cover himself when they were attacked.

Meanwhile, Ferdinand Ignacio, the mayor’s lawyer said that his client is ready to face the charges adding that she is not surprised by the development saying she had been accustomed to having the book thrown at her in the past.

Diego’s group was coming from a Christmas party when they were ambushed in Barangay San Esteban in Dingras.   – Teddy Molina