La Union police told: Show cause vs 5 suspects

The prosecutor investigating the murder complaint involving the Jan. 12 killing of the election supervisor of Bauang, La Union has directed the La Union police to show cause why the case against five of the respondents should not be dismissed.

In an order dated April 6, prosecutor Edilberta Casiano found "no ground to continue with the investigation" against Ares Mato, SPO1 Eduardo Banay, Tess Dumpit-Michelena, Clyde Crispino, and Rene Batoon, and directed the police to reply within five days from receipt of her order.

After the expiration of the five-day period, Casiano would decide whether to send subpoenas to the five respondents or not, or to dismiss the case against them within the remaining period of 10 days pursuant to the rules of court.

The case involved the killing of Bauang election supervisor Felimon Asperin Jr.

Dumpit-Michelena, daughter of La Union Rep. Tomas Dumpit, is running for mayor of Agoo town against the wife of incumbent Mayor Franny Eriguel.

Crispino, vice mayor of Caba town, is being groomed to run for mayor, and Batoon, a retired colonel, for mayor of Baguilin town. Both towns are in the second district of La Union.

Rep. Dumpit and his son, Butch, are also included in the murder complaint.

The younger Dumpit is reportedly being groomed to run for congressman in the second district of La Union.

In the complaint, Dumpit-Michelena, Crispino and Batoon were tagged as the owners of the properties where the alleged gunman — Mato — supposedly passed by before proceeding to Bauang town allegedly to kill Asperin.

The murder complaint is the second which the police had filed in connection with the killing of Asperin.

The first case was filed last Jan. 22 against a certain Fernando Asprec, a former security aide of Butch Dumpit.

The complaint, however, was dismissed when the police withdrew it.

Rep. Dumpit said he has full trust and confidence in the integrity and fairness of the judicial system and that in time, the truth will prevail.