Vigan cop chief sacked over shooting at capitol

CAMP FLORENDO, La Union, Philippines – The police chief of Vigan City was relieved from his post yesterday following the fatal shooting of a barangay chairman and a policeman at the provincial capitol Monday.

Senior Superintendent Eduardo Dopale, Ilocos Sur police director, carried out the order of Chief Superintendent Franklin Bucayu, Region 1 police director, against Vigan police chief Superintendent Elpidio Nartates and installed Chief Inspector Ernesto Navarro as officer-in-charge.

Investigation showed that Wilfredo Terrago, chairman of Barangay Daclapan, Cabugao town, was at the capitol compound while SPO2 Rommel Rebuldela had just arrived there to check the schedule of a court hearing when there was a burst of gunfire at around 1 p.m. Monday.

Moments later, Terrago and Rebuldela were seen lying on the ground with multiple bullet wounds. They were rushed to nearby hospitals but were declared dead on arrival.

A stray bullet hit city hall employee Annabel Almachar, 38.

Scene of the crime operatives recovered empty shells from M-16 and .45 caliber at the scene of the shooting.

The gunmen reportedly escaped on board a red Toyota Revo without license plates.

Bucayu said Nartates was relieved from his post for failing to implement the police integrated patrol system, particularly at the provincial capitol.

“If policemen were patrolling the area, the incident could have been prevented or the suspects would have been arrested if there is immediate response from the police in the area,” Bucayu said.

He said investigators are now looking into politics or personal grudge as possible motive behind the twin killings. – With Teddy Molina