Task Force created to hunt killers of council candidate

By Mar T. Supnad

CAMP PRES. QUIRINO, Ilocos Sur- The police here are still facing a blank wall on the killing of a municipal candidate on Jan. 28, adding to the list of unsolved killings in the province even as the Philippine National Police created a task force to investigate the killing in Magsingal town.

Senior Supt. Eduard Dopale, Officer in charge of Ilocos Sur PNP, said they are eyeing politics and personal grudge as behind the shooting to death of Cecilio Tolentino, 65, a former manager of the National Food Authority and resident of barangay San Vicente, and municipal candidate of Magsingal town.

Mayor candidate Edgar Guzman, an ally of the victim, told newsmen the killing was motivated by politics as the victim had been receiving death threats since he filed his candidacy.

The shooting to death of the victim came few days after a peace covenant was signed by political candidates and witnessed by Chief Supt. Constante D. Azares, Jr., Region 1 police director and Comelec Supervisor Marino Salas.

Earlier, Artemio Tugade, another municipal councilor candidate in Sta. Maria town, was also shot dead in what his relatives believe was politically motivated. Up to now, the police have yet arrested the suspects who are believed to be hired killers.

Operations of gun-for-hire syndicates in Ilocos Sur is thriving with fees ranging from P20,000 up per killing.