Ex-village chief, nephew nabbed for Tanauan ambush

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna, Philippines   – A former village chief and his nephew were arrested on Tuesday in connection with Monday’s ambush in Tanauan City, Batangas that left three of their relatives dead.

Basilyo Panganiban, 55, of Barangay Kay-Anlog, Calamba City, and Anthony Panganiban, 34, were charged with multiple murder and frustrated murder before the Tanauan City prosecutor’s office, said Batangas police director Senior Superintendent Jireh Omega Fidel.

Fidel said the suspects were arrested by members of Tanauan and Calamba City police at around 6 p.m. Tuesday at their house in Barangay Kay-Anlog. Police have yet to arrest a third suspect.

Fidel said Anthony was identified by four survivors as one of the two gunmen who shot dead Sofia Visaya, 69; Juan Visaya, 47, and Pedro Oruga, 56.

Basilyo was tagged as the brains behind the killing that also left Valeria Visaya, 63, wounded, Fidel said.

Tanauan police chief Superintendent Christopher Olazo said land dispute was the motive for the killing – the suspects and the victims had a quarrel over 14 hectares of land.

The victims were in a passenger jeepney driven by Basilyo when they were waylaid in Barangay Laurel, Tanauan City.

“Four survivors, including children, identified the young Panganiban as one of their assailants,” Olazo told The STAR.       – With Arnell Ozaeta