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LAOAG CITY – After losing the congressional race in Ilocos Norte’s first district by a slim margin of 2,220 votes, former Pagudpud mayor Reynolan Sales’ woes are far from over.

Last Friday, a news report in The STAR linked him to the murder of Bacarra Mayor Philip Velasco. The report said that his name and phone number “appeared” in the cellphone of the slain assassin identified as Marlo Cabasag.

The news report quoted Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) regional chief Senior Superintendent Bolabola as saying it was premature to link Sales to the murder but CIDG, according to the report, was looking into his possible involvement.

Sales called The Star yesterday to deny any involvement in the  Velasco slay whom he  said was his “compadre.” He also said his name and phone number are not among those listed in Cabasag’s cellphone contrary to what was reported in The STAR.

In a related development, Ilocos region police director Chief Superintendent Leopoldo Bataoil told Bombo Radio-Laoag in its noontime program yesterday that his office, which is directing the investigation, has not released any data linking Sales to the slaying.

Bombo anchorman Edgar Jacinto who contacted Bataoil by phone said that the police official expressed surprise how Sales’ name came out and was being dragged in the  case.

“I have no reason to have Philip (Velasco) slain. He is a close friend and compadre. Although he was a supporter of my opponent, I am happy with the election result in Bacarra where I lost by only 89 votes,” Sales told STAR.