Agusan vice mayor’s kin guns down cop, driver

MANILA, Philippines - A cousin of an Agusan del Sur town vice mayor gunned down a police officer and his driver last Sunday after he was accosted for recklessly driving his motorcycle along the national highway.

The suspect, Rezly Butiong Chua, gave himself up hours after fatally shooting Senior Inspector Abraham Udang Mangelen, assistant executive officer of the Public Safety Company of the Agusan del Norte police, and his driver, Joel Timbal.

Chua was accompanied by his first cousin, Vice Mayor Julie Chua of Rosario, Agusan del Sur, and Chief Inspector Bonifacio Estrella Jr., Rosario police chief, who both had to fetch him from Nabunturan, Compostela Valley to surrender to authorities.

Police said Mangelen, former police chief of Nasipit, Agusan del Norte, and Timbal had come from Davao City and were on their way to Butuan City aboard a sport utility vehicle when the police officer flagged down Chua for reckless driving.

Police said Mangelen introduced himself as a lawman and warned Chua of the dangers of reckless driving. But Chua pulled out a .45-caliber pistol and shot Mangelen.

Timbal tried to run away upon seeing Mangelen gunned down, but Chua followed him to a rice mill where he hid and shot him several times in the head.

Timbal reportedly begged for his life, but Chua, a member of the Rosario Gun Club, still shot him, said Superintendent Rodelio Roqueta, Agusan del Sur police director. 

Sources said Mangelen was involved in mining but police denied this had something to do with his killing. The Chua family is into gold mining.