Ilocos mayor tagged as brains in slay of electric cooperative head

Laoag City, Ilocos Norte , Philippines  – An Ilocos Norte mayor who is again running for the same post this May was tagged as the brains in the slay of her political foe in September last year.

Alleged hired killer Noel Aurellano, nabbed last week in Isabela in connection with the killing of Ilocos Norte Electric Cooperative (INEC) Board President Lorenzo Rey Ruiz, told investigators that Dingras Mayor Marineth Gamboa paid them P800,000 for the hit.

This, as he also “spilled” that 16 other personalities are on their hit list. Aurellano confirmed what authorities found from the original lair of the “hitman” all in Ilocos Norte with the list written on a paper.

The personalities on the “hit list” however, is being kept under wraps by authorities while security operations are being undertaken to avert any blood anymore to spill in the province.

Admission

While under questioning, Aurellano accordingly admitted it was former INEC employee Jonathan Bagamaspad, a relative of Gamboa, who directly talked to him about the hit.

Aurellano admitted to authorities that he was the driver of one of the motorcycle used when they barged in the INEC compound in Currimao town, Ilocos Norte to accomplish the “hit.”

Earlier, charges against Gamboa were dropped by state prosecutors in connection with the death of a Nacionalista Party councilor bet after armed men fired upon the vehicle she was riding along with other NP bets on Dec. 28, last year.

Killed in the Dec. 28 ambush was barangay captain Jo-en Caniete-Diego of Lanas, Dingras, an NP bet for Dingras councilor. Four others led by re-electionist board member Robert Castro were seriously wounded during the incident.