3 charged in slay of mayor, aide

BAGUIO CITY — The three alleged gunmen in the Oct. 30 killing of the mayor of Vintar, Ilocos Norte and his police escort were arrested and subsequently charged, police said.

Senior Superintendent Juan Luna, Ilocos Norte police director, said Judge Francisco Quilala recommended no bail for Sonny Flores, Erwin Gaor and Rodrigo Gaor, all suspects in the gunslaying of Vintar Mayor Eleuterio Mabanag and his police bodyguard.

Luna said Flores and Rodrigo were arrested in two Vintar barangays, and Erwin in Laoag City, all last Nov. 26.

Their arrest presented a new twist to the slay case. The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group earlier bagged a senior police intelligence officer assigned to the Cordillera police and two alleged hired goons from Abra as suspects in the killing. — Artemio Dumlao