Cops release artist sketches of 2 gunmen in Ilocos attack

Police released yesterday artist sketches of the two gunmen in the failed slay attempt on the life of an Ilocos Sur opposition leader.

Senior Superintendent Pedro Tango, deputy director of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and chief of Task Force Newsman, described one of the two attackers of Nestor Segismundo as medium-built, dark-complexioned, about 5’7" tall and sporting partly blond hair.

The other gunman, Tango said, was about 5’5", heavily-built and dark-complexioned.

"With these sketches, we hope to get more information about them for their immediate arrest and prosecution.

Segismundo was shot in the abdomen in front of his house in Bantay, Ilocos Sur on the night of April 29.

Meanwhile, Senior Superintendent Mario Subagan, who was relieved as Ilocos Sur police director, said he welcomes the plan of the Philippine National Police to investigate him in connection with the slay try.

"I am confident an impartial investigation will clear me of any involvement in the case," he said in a statement as he decried moves to link him to Segismundo’s ambush.

Subagan claimed Segismundo has "many enemies owing to his foul mouth, notoriety and unsavory character."

"He is not a mediaman but a mere radio blocktimer who uses the radio time he buys to slander his perceived enemies. He is really a police character who has a penchant for making trouble when he is drunk, which is very often. His criminal record at the Bantay police station can attest to this," Subagan further alleged in the statement.

Before the last elections, Subagan said Segismundo was charged with mauling 30-year-old May Layug of Vigan City. The case, docketed as Criminal Case No. 13072, is awaiting resolution.

At another time, also before the last elections, Subagan said Segismundo allegedly created trouble inside the Bantay municipal hall, cursing and challenging the police officers who tried to pacify him and, in the process, destroying a toilet bowl, kitchen utensils and two lockers.

Subagan said the municipal government filed a case against him, docketed as Case No. 03-036, over the incident.

"It is no wonder then that in the last elections, he lost miserably in his bid for a seat in the provincial board," Subagan said.

"I welcome an impartial investigation into the case. Segismundo himself knows he has made many enemies because of his slanderous commentaries... I’m also sure he knows I’m not the one behind his ambush. He is just trying to create a smokescreen," he added.