Mayor probed for death of ‘poll hero’

STA. ANA, Cagayan — Operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit of the Regional Police Office 2 are investigating the alleged involvement of the incumbent mayor of this seashore town in the killing of a policeman who tried to stop ballot snatchers last May 14.

Mayor Orlando Manero and two of his brothers, Dominador and Jose, underwent a paraffin test and interrogation after eyewitnesses have identified them as the alleged perpetrators of the cold-blooded murder of SPO2 Herardo Calaycay.

Calaycay was given a full-hero’s funeral in Gonzaga town this province.

Senior Superintendent Dominador Resos, police regional director, vowed during the necrological service of Calaycay that "whoever were involved in the murder of the policeman shall answer their culpability."

Calaycay, assigned with the Maritime Security Task Force this town, was shot dead after he responded to the complaint of the members of the Board of Election Inspectors in precincts number 42-A and 44-A at Casambalangan Elementary School that two unidentified armed men took away the ballot boxes.

The two ballot boxes were later recovered from the residence of Mayor Manero in Barangay Ipil this town in a raid conducted by operatives of CIDG.

Also confiscated in the raid were M-14 and M-16 Armalite rifles and a 12-gauge shotgun. — Lito Salatan