Gunman in slay of P’sinan vice mayoralty bet nabbed

By Liezle Basa-Iñigo

STO. TOMAS, Pangasinan – The gunman in the killing of a municipal councilor who is making a run for the position of vice mayor in the 2019 midterm polls was arrested here while his two cohorts are still at large.

Pangasinan Provincial Director Sr. Supt. Wilzon Joseph Lopez identified the victim as Benjamin Oculto Jr., who had just finished hearing mass at around 10:40 a.m. when he was shot by Jun Jun Vidal Dec. 16 in Barangay Poblacion West here.

Vidal is a resident of Barangay Hermoso in Tepo, Bataan.

Lopez said the victim had just emerged from the Jesus Christ Church, and was crossing the road headed for his car when Vidal and two others fired at him.

Vidal and his companions then sped off in their get-away vehicle, and even engaged pursuing policemen in an encounter.

Vidal eventually gave himself up, while his two cohorts were able to escape.