Suspect in ambush of former Pangasinan governor nabbed

By Liezle Basa Inigo

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan -- One of the suspects in the ambush of former Pangasinan governor Amado Espino Jr. was arrested by joint operatives of the Pangasinan Police Regional Intelligence Unit 1, San Carlos City Police and other law enforcement units. 

Police Regional Office 1 reported Tuesday that John Paul Regalado was arrested at 7 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 2,  at 73 -1 Dr. Lazcano Street, Barangay Laging Handa in Quezon City.

Regalado was arrested on the strength of a warrant of arrest issued against him by a San Carlos City, Pangasinan trial court last August 3 for murder and attempted murder.

According to the police report, Regalado was one of the suspects charged in connection with the ambush of Espino, father of incumbent Gov. Amado Espino III, in San Carlos City on Sept. 11, 2019.

At least 22 suspects were charged last year at the city prosecutor’s office in San Carlos City.

Last Oct. 26,  another suspect in the ambush of the former Pangasinan governor was found dead inside his residence in Poblacion , Calasiao.

Ronald Anthony Romero, 36, a resident of Barangay Poblacion East, apparently shot himself in the temple using a Cal.45 pistol.