Bodyguard charged for ex-mayor’s slay

LINGAYEN, Philippines — Murder charges were filed yesterday against a bodyguard of slain former mayor Aldrin Cerdan of Anda, Pangasinan.

The Pangasinan police filed the charges against William Cagampan at the Regional Trial Court in Alaminos City, for shooting and killing Cerdan in Barangay Namagbagan on Saturday.

Six witnesses are willing to testify against the suspect, according to Pangasinan police director Col. Richmond Tadina.

Cagampan was arrested in nearby Barangay Tondol two hours after the murder.

Tadina said the suspect was subjected to a drug test.

The phones of the victim and the suspect were submitted to the regional anti cyber-crime unit for checking.

“Probers continue with the investigation even after Cagampan was arrested,” Tadina said.

“We don’t want to speculate. We want to base on evidence gathered,” Tadina said.

He said that Cagampan, who served as Cerdan’s bodyguard for nine years, gave inconsistent statements.

Tadina said he could not give additional details as the case is sensitive.

He said a checkpoint was set up at the town’s entrance to make people feel secure.