Cagayan town police chief relieved

TUGUEGARAO CITY , Philippines– The chief of Rizal municipal police was relieved from his post for the series of killings and violence in the area over the weekend.

The relief of Senior Inspector Gerry Roque came after an attempt on the life of Mayor Joel Ruma on Aug. 5, and for the reported presence of armed group and vendetta killings that occurred in his jurisdiction, according to  Chief Superintendent Rodrigo de Gracia, police regional director.

Roque was replaced by Senior Inspector Arthur Sto. Tomas.

Ruma described the attempt on his life as a prelude to the barangay elections set in October. The attack happened after the killing of his ally, Barangay Pasingan chairman Edwin Gannaban, reportedly by a political rival, former village chief Gilbert Mamauag last July 21.


Three days later, former militia man Randy Gadduan, who was indicted along with Mamauag for the killing of Gannaban, was killed.

After the killings, Cagayan police director Senior Superintendent Greg Lim received reports about the presence of armed groups in the said village.