PNP: Politics behind bomb attack on LU congressman

P500K bounty set for mastermind, bombers 

By Erwin G. Beleo

AGOO, La Union — Politics was the motive in the bombing of a van here last week that aimed to kill La Union 2nd District Rep. Eufranio Eriguel which resulted to the death of his driver and wounding of several others, police said.

Following this, Eriguel said he is offering a P500,000 reward for information leading to the identification and arrest of those behind the “motorcycle bomb” that ripped through one of the vehicles in his convoy April 30 in this town, resulting in the death of one of the wounded victims Monday.

Eriguel offered the bounty Tuesday as he confirmed that Jovanne Cacayuran, the driver of his back-up van, died last Monday afternoon while undergoing treatment at the Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center in San Fernando City, this province.

“We are willing to give P500,000 to anyone who can identify the person or persons who masterminded the attempt on my life and the murder of our driver. We urge you to please go to the police for any leads that would direct to the suspects,” he said.

Three other wounded victims – the congressman’s close-in security Senior Police Officer 2 Jack Baguan, and his supporters Samuel Ofiaza and Anthony Casem – are still recuperating in the hospital.

        This, as security forces from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Philippine National Police (PNP), and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) were deployed in this province Tuesday to beef up security for Monday’s national and local elections, following the terrorist-type bomb attack in Agoo.

Senior Supt. Angelito Dumangeng, La Union Police Provincial Office (PPO) director, confirmed yesterday that the bomb explosion that wounded six people in the convoy of Rep. Eriguel during a campaign sortie for Vice President Jejomar Binay was a politically-motivated attack aimed at eliminating the congressman.

“Politics is the motive in this incident because the target is Congressman Eriguel,” Dumangeng said after welcoming scores of security personnel from the AFP, PNP, and PCG who arrived at this camp for the upcoming polls.

Part of the augmenting force will be deployed in Agoo, one of the six areas in La Union under the “election watchlist.”

“We’ve been very peaceful here in Agoo, but now there are evil people who want to sow terror in our town just for their political gain,” said Rep. Eriguel, who stopped short of identifying his suspect in the attack.

Eriguel, a second-termer, has opted to field his wife, Agoo Mayor Sandra Eriguel, as the next representative to Congress, instead of seeking a third and final term. Their daughter Stephanie is running for  the mayoral post.

His family is a staunch supporter of Binay and was campaigning for the Vice President when a motorcycle-bomb was remotely detonated, wrecking his back-up van and wounding its four occupants – Eriguel’s police escort Senior Police Officer 2 Jack Baguan; driver Jovanne Cacayuran; and supporters Samuel Ofiaza, and Anthony Casem.

A source from Explosives and Ordnance Division (EOD) said remote-controlled bomb used in the attack is of the same make as those used by terrorists in Mindanao.