Belmonte slay try: Iligan mayor, 13 others charged

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines – A city mayor and 13 other persons have been charged with multiple murder and multiple frustrated murder for the ambush on the convoy of Iligan Rep. Vicente Belmonte last Dec. 11.

Iligan City Mayor Celso Regencia, his two police escorts Peejay Capangpangan and Alfeo Arnoco, alleged gunman Dominador Tumala, Amador Baller, Rogelio Pitos Sr., Romeo Suganob and former communist rebels identified only as Rogelio Jr., Jimmy, Ruel, Diego, Jimboy and three John Does were charged before the Cagayan de Oro prosecutor’s office on Wednesday.

Belmonte was wounded and three of his aides were killed when gunmen fired at his convoy of two vehicles as it left Laguindingan airport.

Tumala, who was detained at Initao district jail since his arrest on Dec. 13, identified most of the suspects, including Regencia and his police escorts.

The getaway vehicle, a green Toyota Revo recovered in Oroqueta City, was registered under the name of Pitos’ son.

Baller, a trucking service operator, was accused of supplying the firearms used in the ambush and providing financial support to the gunmen.

Belmonte said the 13 other accused are related to Regencia, adding that most of them are gambling operators.

He said his impression that politics was behind the ambush and that the mastermind engaged the services of rebel returnees and former policemen was proven.

Regencia could not be reached for comment.

The mayor earlier accused Belmonte of faking the ambush. – With Lino dela Cruz