Palace exec wants gov’s men reinvestigated

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Philippines – Presidential Legislative Liason Officer Manuel Mamba is seeking a reinvestigation of the murder charges filed against nine supporters of Cagayan Gov. Alvaro Antonio for the killing of a supporter of his brother in 2013.

Of the nine cases, eight were dropped and one was downgraded to homicide.

Antonio was arrested last Monday but was released the same day after posting P10,000 bail.

Mamba filed frustrated murder charges against Antonio in connection with the shooting of the Palace official’s convoy in Alcala town in 2013.

Cris Barcena, Antonio’s spokesman, said the charges against the governor were downgraded to illegal discharge of firearms.

Mamba said only the case against Felizardo Bangan, an alleged security officer of Vice Gov. Leonides Fausto, an ally of Antonio, remained but was downgraded from murder to homicide.

Bangan – along with Gil Durian, Boyet Genobil, Arthur Advincula, Angel Tubban, Romar Latupan, Nono Lizardo, Jefrey Balocanao and Aldrin Omillo – was tagged in the killing of Jomar Littaua, a supporter of Mamba’s brother William.

William, a former mayor of Tuao town, lost to reelectionist Antonio in the 2013 gubernatorial race.

Littaua’s killing occurred during the election period.