4 supporters of La Union bet charged for slay

BAUANG, La Union, Philippines – The four arrested supporters of a councilor who is running for mayor in Naguilian, La Union have been charged in connection with the fatal shooting of a barangay tanod and wounding of three others last Tuesday night.

Chief Inspector Erwin Dayag, Bauang police chief, told The STAR that charges of illegal possession of firearms and violation of the gun ban were filed against three of the four suspects identified as Arnold Pura, 34; Rodel Silen, 30; and Ricardo Pepito, 34.

The three, along with their wounded companion, Alfredo Facundo, 41, were also charged separately by the Naguilian police with murder, frustrated murder and attempted murder for the death of tanod Donato Amayoen, a supporter of Vice Mayor Reynaldo Flores.

Three other supporters of Flores were wounded in the incident.

The four suspects are followers of councilor Azalea Hidalgo, who is seeking the Naguilian mayorship.

Chief Superintendent Constante Azares Jr., Ilocos police director, said the suspects are considered members of a private army.

“They are civilians and yet they were armed. What are they doing here in La Union if they are from Laguna and Rizal?” Azares said.

But Hidalgo said they were the ones who were ambushed and that his four supporters who were arrested were just rushing their wounded companion to a nearby hospital.