Police nab suspect in ambush-slay of Mt. Province mayor

MANILA, Philippines - Police arrested one of the gunmen in the assassination of Paracelis Mayor Ceasar Balacanao Rafael in Mt. Province on Christmas Day three years ago.

Arrested was Rommel Ambatali alyas “Borbon” who was the alleged mastermind in the murder of Rafael on Dec. 25, 2007 along the road at Sitio Sinigpit, Butigue, Paracelis, Mountain Province.

Ambatali was apprehended at Mararique, San Manuel, Isabela by members of the PNP Intelligence Group headed by Superintendent Brent Madjaco.

Ambatali was arrested by virtue of a warrant of arrest issued by Judge Joseph Patna-an of Regional Trial Court, Branch 35, Bontoc, Mt. Province.

Records showed that Ambatali, a barangay captain of Barangay Anonat in Paracelis, was identified by three other suspects, as the alleged mastermind in the ambush of Rafael at Sitio Sinigpit, Botigue, Paracelis on Dec. 25, 2007.

Rafael was alone in his blue Toyota Hi-Lux vehicle (AHH-836) when five gunmen attacked him.

The mayors’s vehicle was peppered with about 80 bullets fired from M-16 armalite rifles.

Police earlier theorized that the attack was politically motivated.