3 killed in clash between cops, mayorable’s supporters
An encounter between local policemen and supporters of a mayoralty candidate marred the peaceful electoral climate in Tibiao, Antique early morning of yesterday.
While investigation is yet to rule if the incident is a case of a shootout or rubout, what remains clear was that the encounter claimed the life of three men and wounded 6 others.
All are supporters of Sangguniang Bayan member Gil Bandoja, a mayoralty candidate in Tibiao town.
The fatalities were identified as Rogelio Pagsuguiron of Brgy. Martinez , Tibiao; Edgar Magtulis of Poblacion, Tibiao; and Efraim Pagharion, 62, also of Poblacion, Tibiao
Pagsuguiron and Magtulis were instantly killed Pagharion died in the hospital.
Wounded were Edward Luceno, 30, who sustained multiple gunshot wounds; Arnulfo Miguel, 68, of Poblacion, Tibiao; Frederico Eraga, Jr., 45, of Tibiao; Peruno Leandro, 49; Eliazar Pagharion, 45, of Brgy. Martinez , Tibiao; and Andresito Bandoja.
Those injured were rushed to Angel Salazar Memorial Hospital in San Jose town.
Meanwhile, Roswald Fabiano, 49, of Poblacion, Tibiao, and Jonirie Pagharion, 33, of Brgy. Balabor, Antique were declared outpatient.
Physically unharmed were Clement Bandoja, 29, son of Gil Bandoja; Frank Española of Brgy Malabor, Tibiao; Vicente Hilario, 49, of Brgy. Martinez , Tibiao; and Peter Jay Molina of Poblacion, Tibiao
At around 3:03 a.m., reports said that an armed clash occurred between three Tibiao cops led by Chief Insp. Frankie Luther Lugo and the suspects who were on board two vehicles – a black Nissan Frontier and a maroon Nissan Pathfinder.
According to PNP Regional Director Chief Supt. Isagani Cuevas Lugo, together with deputy chief Senior Insp. Allan Relo and driver PO2 Melvin Gindap, responded to information about armed men on board two vehicles.
Before the firefight, Lugo called Insp. Rico of the 82nd Infantry Battalion’s Alpha Company for reinforcement.
“Chief Insp. Lugo wanted to set-up a mobile checkpoint so that they could intercept the alleged armed men,” he added.
According to the local police, the suspects passed by and fired upon the policemen.
The Army team, who was not far behind, attested to have seen the three cops seeking cover.
The maroon Nissan pick-up bearing plate number FDC-556 was crippled after Efraim Pagharion got hit.
At the said vehicle, he was with Luceno, Miguel, Andresito Bandoja, Jonirie Pagharion, and Fabiano.
Meanwhile, the other vehicle driven by Clement Bandoja sped off and was later seen at their campaign headquarters.
Operatives later found the bodies of Pagsugiron and Magtulis
In the presence of Army personnel, police recovered four handguns and a hand grenade at the Nissan Pathfinder while no guns or explosives were seen at the Nissan Frontier.
Pending the investigation, Cuevas maintained that the incident was plain and simple shootout between three policemen and the group of armed men.
“Our personnel just retaliated after they were fired upon.
Other version
The camp of Bandoja, on the other hand, claimed that the policemen shot at them while they were passing the area going to Brgy. Malabor.
Clement said that they indeed saw a police car but they did not stop since it was not a regular checkpoint.
The police car allegedly blocked the highway with its doors open and lights on but they did not see any uniformed policeman in the area,
Clement thought that the policemen were just inside the nearby videoke bar.
The information claimed that the two vehicles slowed down when they were peppered with bullets.
Some reports pointed to supporters of mayoralty candidate Jojo Lim and his police escorts as the one who fired at them.
But police and Army personnel insisted that there was no presence of Lim or his supporters in the area.
Relief
Effective yesterday, Cuevas ordered the relief of Lugo , Relo, and Gindap.
“We decided on it to do away with claims of whitewash. It will also be a good time for them to answer all accusations,” he explained.
In the interim, the Antique Police Provincial Police Office (APPO) will send new officers to head Tibiao Police Station.
