‘Kuratong Baleleng’ general loses Baler mayoral bid

BALER, Aurora, Philippines – A former police general who was implicated in the alleged rubout of 11 suspected members of the Kuratong Baleleng kidnap-robbery gang in 1995 lost in the mayoral race in this town.

Francisco Zubia Jr. lost to outgoing Vice Mayor Nelianto Bihasa in a three-cornered fight. Placing third is former governor Edgardo Ong.      

Bihasa, of the Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino, garnered 8,168 votes as against Zubia’s 5,231. Ong got 3,902.

Bihasa will replace Mayor Arthur Angara who lost his gubernatorial bid to Gov. Gerardo Noveras.

A former police director in Nueva Ecija, Zubia was a member of the Philippine Military Academy’s Class ’71, which also includes Senators Panfilo Lacson and Gregorio Honasan and former police chief Edgar Aglipay.

Zubia, Lacson and 27 others were implicated in the alleged rubout of 11 suspected members of the Kuratong Baleleng kidnap-robbery gang in 1995. – Manny Galvez