Rackets on celluloid

SAN FERNANDO, La Union – Investigators are looking into the possible involvement of a losing congressional candidate in the gunslaying of Bacarra, Ilocos Norte Mayor Philip Velasco and councilor Marcelo Andaya after his name and phone number appeared in the cellular phone seized from the slain gunman.

Initial reports said the name and phone number of engineer Rey Nolan Sales was found among the entries in the cellphone of slain assassin Marlo Kabasag.

Sales lost to incumbent Rep. Roque Ablan who was reportedly being supported by Velasco.

Senior Superintendent Marvin Bolabola, Ilocos regional chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), however, stressed it would be premature to link Sales to the murder but confirmed Kabasag was a hired killer.

Bolabola said they are submitting the cellular phone to the CIDG’s Cyber Crime Division in Camp Crame to check and review all its entries.

He said there are other names found in the cellular phone who may be involved in the crime.

Bolabola added they have already identified the owner of the caliber .45 automatic pistol and the motorcycle used by Kabasag.

Kabasag was allegedly seen in the company of a political figure in Ilocos Norte before the assassination.

Kabasag managed to slip in unnoticed and approached Velasco and Andaya who were both watching an intermission number during the town’s fiesta celebration last Sunday.

Three others, including provincial board member Shirley Ong-Sin and a nine-year-old boy, were wounded in the shooting before Kabasag was shot by responding lawmen.

Kabasag was later identified by some witnesses through tattoos on his body.

Police said witnesses claimed Kabasag is not a native of Bacarra.

Authorities have increased the reward to P150,000 for information that could lead to the arrest of the mastermind behind the assassination.

Chief Superintendent Leopoldo Bataoil, Ilocos regional police director, said P100,000 of the amount was pledged by the municipal government of Bacarra on top of the offer by the Philippine National Police (PNP) of P50,000.