Cops tracking down Abra town mayor

LA TRINIDAD,  Benguet  – A special police team is now following the trails of Bangued town mayor Ryann Luna, who since Monday has eluded arrest.

Policemen failed to arrest Luna in his house or at the town hall Monday night when they served an arrest warrant issued by a Bangued Regional Trial Court in connection with the murder of then Tineg mayoral bet Brenda Crisologo during the 2007 poll canvassing.

Cordillera police director, Chief Supt. Benjamin Magalong,  said the Abra police provincial office’s tracker team is on the move for Luna, who apparently has fled Abra and sought refuge somewhere.

Magalong however did not confirm if there was a shoot-to-kill order on Luna as many believe he is considered "armed and dangerous", but only said that there are surrender feelers coming from Luna's camp.

On Monday morning,  before his arrest warrant came out, was said to have even led his townsfolk for the  flag ceremony in front of the town hall. He was said to have been visibly agitated owing to the impending issuance of arrest warrant against him. Luna said the arrest warrant

Luna has said the arres warrant was  “ill-timed, politically motivated and a handiwork of his political opponent.”

Luna, running for re-election, is facing businessman Dominic Valera, father of Abra Rep. Ma Jocelyn Bernos of the Liberal Party.

Policemen tried to serve the arrest warrant at the mayor’s residence in barangay Dangdangla and at the municipal hall  but failed to locate the town executive.

Magalong said he has already spoken with Luna over the phone, but the latter did not specify when he will surrender.

Meanwhile,  a Hold Departure Order against Luna is being readied by the Bureau of Immigration.