By Mar T. Supnad
AGOO, La Union- The chief of police here and six others policemen were sacked Tuesday when supporters of two congressional candidates and two mayoral candidates shot it out afternoon of April 2, making the political situation here more tense.
As this developed, the Police Regional Office 1 headed by Chief. Supt. Constante Azares, immediately created Special Investigation Task Group San Julian to probe the shooting incident that took place at Barangay San Julian West, Agoo, La Union.
Based on reports reaching his headquarters, the incident occurred at about 2:45 p.m. when supporters of Dr. Eufranio Eriguel, a candidate for Representative of the 2nd District of La Union, arrived on board a Ford Expedition and surrounded the residential compound of Agoo mayoralty candidate Ma. Theresa Dumpit-Michellena.
Michellena is challenging Eriguel’s wife, incumbent mayor Zandra Eriguel. While Dr. Eriguel is also facing Dumpit-Michellena’s brother incumbent congressman Butch Dumpit.
Shouting then ensued between the two camps, followed by bursts of gunfire allegedly from both sides that lasted for several minutes, said Sr. Supt Noli Talino, La Union police director.
The exchange of fire only stopped when the persons involved scampered upon the arrival of responding policemen from the Agoo Police Station.
Talino aid they are still investigating the shooting incident after his men were able to recover empty shells for 9mm and Cal. 45.
No one was reported hurt in the shooting between the two camps.
Informed of the incident, General Azares immediately sacked Chief Insp. Julius Gorospe, Agoo chief of police, as he called for and presided over a case conference which led to the formation of SITG San Julian.
In addition, a Special Task Group Eriguel headed by Police Senior Insp. Joshua Maximo was activated to conduct police operations against target personalities.
“In response to the situation, I have ordered the relief of the Agoo chief of police and designated Police Chief Inspector Joel Quintero as replacement effective April 3. Likewise, I have directed the deployment of a team from the 1st Regional Public Safety Management Battalion to conduct intensified checkpoint and patrol activities in the area,” Azares said.
Meanwhile, six policemen security detail, namely; PO3 Ronald Carig and PO2 Jose Rebualos, both on detail with Ms Dumpit-Michellena; SPO2 Mark Cera and PO3 Marturo Lachica; on detail with Mr. Eriguel; and SPO4 Antonio Casem and PO3 Romil Dacanay; on detail with Agoo incumbent mayor Sandra Eriguel (wife of Eufranio) were pulled out and placed under restrictive custody at police headquarters.
They were also asked to surrender their firearms and made to undergo paraffin testing at the Regional Crime Laboratory Office to determine if they fired their guns.
“All of these six PNP personnel are authorized protective security detail duly approved by the Regional Joint Security Coordinating Center (RJSCC)/Comelec. In view of their pull out, we are now providing area security at the residence of Mrs. Dumpit-Michellena,” Azares said..
SITG San Julian is now in the process of compiling testimonies of witnesses and other evidence to support the filing of appropriate cases relative to the shooting incident, Talnio added,
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