P2 million bounty up for arrest of ex-councilor’s killer

BAYAMBANG, Pangasinan, Philippines — A reward amounting to P2.3 million will be given to anybody who can provide information leading to the arrest of the killer of a former councilor of this town.

Bayambang Mayor Cezar Quiambao said he would provide P2 million while businessman Rosendo So of the Samahan ng Industriyang Agrikultura pledged P300,000 for the arrest of the assailant of Levin Uy, who was shot dead as he was jogging in Barangay Zone 2 here on Friday.

Quiambao said he and Uy were close friends, noting they worked together in the past 18 years, both in the private sector and in politics.

Uy, a former three-term councilor, had filed his certificate of candidacy to regain his post in the municipal council under Quiambao’s team.

 “He was my most trusted man, the political strategist of the team Quiambao-Sabangan, the mayor said, referring to their party’s slate in next year’s midterm elections.

Uy was murdered a day before Quiambao‘s birthday.

The mayor said the timing seemed to be warning him of something.

“I’m willing to give P2 million from my personal funds for the arrest of whoever did this to him or to the one who ordered the killing,” Quiambao said. 

He gave the police one week to solve Uy’s murder.

Town police chief Superintendent Fidel Junio vowed a thorough probe of the case, saying he wants an airtight investigation.

Junio said they are currently working on a lead and that they would explore all possible angles to solve the case.

He expressed hope that the closed-circuit television cameras installed in the area could provide them the identity of the gunman. 

Meanwhile, Cesar Salosagcol, an employee of Bayambang National High School who was wounded during the attack, is now in stable condition.

Salosagcol was talking to Uy when the victim was gunned down. He was rushed to the Bayambang District Hospital for treatment.