Ex-CAFGU in murder of mayor, ‘kagawad’ nabbed

By Liezle Basa Inigo

AGUILAR, Pangasinan — After 23 years in hiding, the prime suspect in the killing of a mayor of this town and a village watchman was arrested here Tuesday.

Police said a former member of the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) accused of shooting Mayor Angelito Nava and kagawad (village councilman) Enzo Paulo to death in this town in 1992 was nabbed.

Supt. Ferdinand de Asis, Police Provincial Office (PPO) spokesman, said Amante Layagan Dela Cruz, 47, single, a former CAFGU member was arrested on the strength of a warrant issued by Judge Eugenio Ramos of the Regional Trial Court Branch 37 in Lingayen.

No bail was recommended for Dela Cruz’s temporary liberty as he is facing murder and frustrated murder charges.

Records showed that Nava and Paulo were jogging when gunmen – allegedly including Dela Cruz – were strafed to death.

De Asis said the suspect was cornered by warrant operatives around 11:30 a.m. Tuesday in Sitio Tambugan, Poblacion.

       It was learned that Aguilar had eluded arrest for many years because he went hiding in Mindanao.