Body of suspect in mayor’s murder found in La Union

By Erwin Beleo

CAMP OSCAR FLORENDO, La Union – The body found inside an abandoned vehicle in Santol, La Union was that of a suspect in killing town Mayor Arsenio Agustin of Marcos, Ilocos Norte last year.

Supt. Mary Crystal B. Peralta, PRO1 public information officer said the body was identified as Reynard Mostoles of Nagrebcan, Luna, La Union, linked to the “Ramos Group”, and was a former bodyguard of Marcos Vice-Mayor Jose Ermitanyo.

Chief Supt. Romulo Sapitula, PRO1 regional director, said the PNP is doing its utmost in finding the ones responsible for the killing and give justice to the family of the victim.

Regional police are still on follow-up investigation and coordination in Manila regarding the abandoned vehicle.

The body of Mostoles was found inside the vehicle along Orodio road at Sitio Killo, Barangay Corro-oy morning of July 22.

Responding policemen immediately noticed blood drifting coming from the vehicle and saw sacks lying on the vehicle’s floor.

The cadaver wrapped in two sacks had one gunshot wound on the right cheek.

Santol police chief Senior Insp. Felipe Ruiz, Jr. said the victim may not have been killed in the area.

The vehicle was reportedly registered under the name of Cesar Tanguli Cabungcal of 65608 Villa Fojas St., Tondo, Manila.

Barangay kagawad Aurelio Badua said the Barangay Peacekeeping Action Teams were conducting clearing when they noticed the abandoned vehicle.

La Union police are now coordinating with Manila authorities for further investigation.