Bocap, policeman shot dead in Vigan gun duel

By Mar T. Supnad

VIGAN CITY – A barangay captain and an active policeman were both killed April 11 in what the police called a gun duel before terrified employees near the capitol building here.

Senior Supt. Eduardo Dopale, Ilocos Sur police director, reported that barangay captain Willie Terrago of Daclapan, Cabugao town and SPO1 Rommel Rebuldela, detailed with the Ilocos Sur police office, were both killed from multiple gunshot wounds.

According to Dopale, the barangay captain and the policeman were seen at the provincial capitol building when suddenly shots rang out, instantly killing both.

A woman employee of the Vigan City Hall identified as Anabel Tabaniag was also hit by stray bullet but was reportedly out of danger.

Dopale said that the policeman was armed with Cal. 45 while the barangay captain’s unidentified bodyguard was also armed with M16 armalite rifle.

There were reports that the victims were shot by men riding in tandem but this was clarified by Dopale who said that there was a shootout between the two victims.

“We are still in the process of investigating on how the shooting incident happened,” said Dopale in an interview.

The barangay captain’s bodyguard escaped immediately and is now the subject of manhunt by the police.

Newsmen based here also expressed surprise how the bodyguard of the barangay captain possessed a high caliber gun and brought it inside the capitol building without being questioned.

Following this, the Vigan police chief was relieved from his post Tuesday following the shooting.

Senior Supt. Eduardo Dopale, Ilocos Sur police director, carried out the order of Chief Supt. Franklin Bucayu, Region 1 police director, against Vigan police chief Supt. Elpidio Nartates and installed Chief Insp. Ernesto Navarro as officer-in-charge.

Investigation showed Terrago, was at the capitol compound while Rebuldela had just arrived there to check the schedule of a court hearing when there was a burst of gunfire at around 1 p.m. April 11.

Moments later, Terrago and Rebuldela were seen lying on the ground with multiple bullet wounds.

They were rushed to nearby hospitals but were declared dead on arrival.

A stray bullet hit city hall employee Annabel Almachar, 38.

Scene of the crime operatives recovered empty shells from M-16 and Cal.45 at the scene of the shooting.

Earlier reports said gunmen reportedly escaped on board a red Toyota Revo without license plates.

Bucayu said Nartates was relieved from his post for failing to implement the police integrated patrol system, particularly at the provincial capitol.

“If policemen were patrolling the area, the incident could have been prevented or the suspects would have been arrested if there is immediate response from the police in the area,” Bucayu said.

He said investigators are now looking into politics or personal grudge as possible motive behind the twin killings.