Losing pols tagged in La Union explosions

BY JERRY PADILLA

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union – Police here are investigating possible involvement of several politicians in explosions in La Union and discovery of several improvised explosive devices after two supporters of politicians were tagged in the blast.

La Union police director Senior Supt. Franklin Bucayu said one of the alleged suspects responsible for the two blasts in Agoo town who turned witness, confessed to investigators that the two suspects arrested night of June 2 were supporters of a defeated mayoralty bet.

Bucayu said witnesses told policemen the arrested suspect Danilo Ramos, 52, supporter of losing mayoralty bet Tess Dumpit-Michelena.

The witnesses also said another suspect, Edwin Campos, 39, who was detained for illegal possession of firearms, was also a supporter of the Dumpits.

Police Region 1 director Chief Supt. Leopoldo Bataoil had ordered the deployment of additional teams of Regional Mobile Group to Agoo to conduct round-the-clock checkpoint and intensified patrol.

The order was issued after a grenade exploded in front of the Agoo town hall at about 6:00 p.m. last June 2.

The explosion has sparked tension among residents in the town. A few minutes after the explosion, policemen arrested Ramos of San Nicolas, Central Agoo.
Bataoil said a dialogue between contending political parties would be held to defuse tension in the town.

A witness identified Ramos as the man who threw the explosive, police said.

Meanwhile, a blue FX vehicle with plate number WCS 642 was seen near the area before and after the explosion.

The driver was accosted by policemen who confiscated from him a Cal. 38 revolver with eight live bullets.

A police official said a case for violation of PD8294 was filed against the driver identified as Edwin Campos, 39, of Barangay Taberna, Bauang, La Union.

Following this, bomb-sniffing dogs and personnel of the Special Weapons and Tactics of the Philippine National Police based here at Camp Oscar Florendo were deployed to various schools in the province to provide security during the opening of classes.

As early as 5:30 a.m. last week, policemen were deployed to different schools to coordinate with school officials in implementing tight security measures.

At the La Union National High School, the biggest school in La Union, was inspected by Ilocos police director Chief Supt. Leopoldo Bataoil.

Bataoil said due to the explosions and discovery of several improvised explosive devises on June 2 in Agoo and in this city, he deployed K-9s and SWAT personnel to secure students, teachers and parents.

“We asked the teachers and students to be vigilant and we are coordinating with them to report immediately to us unnecessary incidents and suspicious persons to prevent any crime,” Bataoil said.

He also said that tight security and round-the-clock checkpoint were implemented to prevent persons from planting explosive devices in schools to spare students and teachers from harm.
Bataoil, accompanied by LUNHS officials led by Dr. Consolacion Aquino, the principal, also launched the “Pulis Ko, Texmate Ko” program, which aims to help teachers, students and parents in peace and order by sending text messages directly to the mobile phone numbers of policemen assigned in every city and municipality in the Ilocos region.