Witnesses implicate mayor in Ilocos slay

LAOAG CITY , Philippines  – An Ilocos Norte town mayor was implicated by witnesses in affidavits submitted to the police in the killing of the president of the Ilocos Norte Electric Cooperative (INEC) last Sept. 4.

This developed as the INEC has put up a P500,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the mastermind in the killing of its president, Lorenzo Rey Ruiz, in Currimao town.

Lawyer Jesus Nalupta Sr., INEC board member, said they decided to offer a reward to encourage witnesses to reveal their knowledge of the incident.

“We want the slay case resolved as soon as possible. That’s why we are giving P500,000 reward to informants,” Nalupta said in a radio interview.

As early as last year, the witnesses alleged that Dingras Mayor Marynette Romero Gamboa has been vocal about her plans to make her mother, Elsie Romero, run against Ruiz in the INEC elections next month.

Gamboa allegedly wanted to gain control both of the municipal office and the profitable electric cooperative.

Mrs. Romero, however, is disqualified to run as Dingras’ representative to the INEC board because she failed to attend two INEC general assemblies, a basic requirement for a candidate.

Gamboa has allegedly questioned the requirement but board officials argued that the guideline does not only cover INEC but all other 119 electric cooperatives nationwide.

The Dingras mayor has reportedly issued several verbal attacks against Ruiz in local television and radio interviews.

The slain INEC president, however, refused to comment on Gamboa’s tirades.

The witnesses alleged that Gamboa has repeatedly boasted about her wealth and connections to high-ranking politicians, police and military officials and private armies to intimidate her opponents.

They said Gamboa allegedly perceived Ruiz as a big threat to her post as he was being groomed by various groups to run for mayor in the 2010 elections.

Jonathan Bagamaspad, an INEC employee who has been tagged as the one who contacted Ruiz’s gunmen, is allegedly a known supporter of Gamboa and has openly campaigned against Ruiz.

Bagamaspad is reportedly facing an administrative case for malversation of INEC funds.

One of the four suspects was killed, two (including the triggerman) have been captured, while one remains at large.

Police have filed murder and attempted murder charges against them.