P1-million reward out in mayor's slay attempt

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines – A P1-million cash reward awaits anyone who could provide information leading to the arrest of the perpetrators of last month’s slay attempt on Tuguegarao City Mayor Delfin Ting.

Tuguegarao City Vice Mayor Danilo Baccay, however, said the reward did not come from the city coffers, but was offered by a concerned citizen who wanted anonymity. 

“The donor, who asked not to be identified, expressed concern not only for Mayor Ting, but also for the peace and order situation of the city,” he said.

Baccay is the presiding officer of the city council which earlier passed a resolution condemning the slay attempt on Ting.

Ting was shot with a caliber .22 pistol last Nov. 15 in front of the family-owned Hotel Delfino in downtown Tuguegarao, the capital of Cagayan. 

Ting, who turned 72 yesterday, returned to work last week following an operation on his cheek where a caliber .22 bullet was imbedded. 

Ting’s son, Cagayan third district Rep. Randolph Ting, believes that the attempt on the life of his father had something to do with politics.

Chief Superintendent Francisco Villaroman, Cagayan Valley police director, said the reward could help them eventually unmask the gunman and the mastermind in the attack. – Charlie Lagasca, Raymund Catindig