By Myds Supnad
STA. MARIA, Ilocos Sur -- Two bets aspiring for legislative positions were recently shot to death in the province, police said.
A candidate for municipal councilor was shot dead Wednesday by two unidentified gunmen riding on tandem in Barangay Poblacion, this town, police said, adding politics was strong motive in the daring daylight ambush.
Region 1 police headed by Chief Supt. Constante D. Azares, Jr., directed the immediate creation of Special Investigation Task Group “Tugade” to investigate the shooting to death of former barangay chairman Artemio Tugade, a resident of Barangay Cabaroan here.
The murder of Tugade came after SPO4 Dionisio Aquino, retired, of Barangay Bulala, Vigan city was gunned down also in broad daylight by two men riding in tandem in Barangay Ayusan Norte before Christmas day.
The killing of Tugade and Aquino, added to the long list of victims of hired killers and countless unsolved killings in the province up to this writing.
Police director for Ilocos Sur Sr. Supt. Eduardo Dopale is still facing a blank wall on the bloody killing.
A report sent to Police Regional Office 1 headquarters in San Fernando City, La Union disclosed that Tugade, 56, a candidate for Sangguniang Bayan member of Sta. Maria town, was driving a blue Honda XRM motorcycle when two unidentified suspects riding in tandem on a yellow motorcycle, also a Honda XRM, shot him several times in the head causing his instant death.
The suspects fled after incident and are now the subject of manhunt operations personally supervised by Dopale.
“We have established checkpoints along possible escape routes, together with personnel of the Public Safety Provincial Maneuver Company based in Tagudin town,” Dopale said.
Azares ordered the creation of SITG “Tugade” for the immediate solution of the shooting incident.
Three teams of the 1st Regional Public Safety Management Battalion under Supt Alejandro M. Valerio, Jr., were dispatched to the area to assist local police in operations.
Investigators found four spent shells for Cal. 45 pistol from the crime scene.
“We are looking into all possible motives behind the killing. Our investigation is still ongoing and we shall release updates on the case from time to time,” Dopale added.
Dopale’s appointment as regular provincial police director might be affected due to the series of unsolved killings under his watch.
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