NPA guerillas tagged in Cagayan exec pa’s slay

By Raymund Catindig

TUGUEGARAO CITY – Suspected New People’s Army (NPA) guerrillas were linked to the murder of a municipal councilor’s father in Lasam town, Cagayan last Monday, an official said.

The rebels were reportedly the same group of armed men who ambushed and killed eight members of the police Special Action Force in Allacapan town, also in Cagayan, in 2013.

Cagayan Valley police director Chief Supt. Miguel Laurel said they have four witnesses in the murder of Isaac Victor Agatep Jr.

The suspects reportedly stormed the house of Councilor Jay Isaac Aga-tep III in Barangay Callao Norte and shot his father several times.

Among the suspects was a woman, believed to be “Ka Selya,” who was allegedly seen during the Allacapan carnage.

Police said after killing the elder Agatep, the suspects fled in a van, which was later found burned and abandoned in Barangay Abariongan in nearby Sto. Niño town.

Witnesses said five armed men dragged Isaac Agatep Jr. from the second floor of the house and shot him several times at around 9:30 a.m., said Senior Insp. Leon Umbrero, town police chief.

Last year, the elder Agatep and seven other persons were indicted for alleged involvement in jueteng, based on a complaint filed by Gov. Alvaro Antonio.