CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY—A reelectionist barangay chairman in the Misamis Oriental town of Opol surrendered to the police Monday following the killing of his rival’s husband Sunday evening.
Police said incumbent Malanang Brgy. Chairman Sino Suaner Dragon, who is seeking re-election, surrendered a day after Eliezer Zafra, 41, died in an ambush that also wounded the victim’s companion, Dondon Enriquez.
Zafra’s wife, Nilda Gallogo Zafra, is running against Dragon.
Enriquez was hit in the chest but survived, as gunmen fired on their pick-up truck on Sunday evening, police said.
Both victims were rushed to Polymedic Hospital here but Zafra was declared dead by attending physicians.
Witnesses told the police that several armed men opened fire at the vehicle. Scene of Crime Operatives (Soco) said they recovered several empty shells of M16 and cal. 45 pistol at the ambushed site.
A follow-up investigation resulted in the arrest of two suspects identified as Hermmies Bob Abellanosa, 22 years old, single a resident of Tulahon, Malanang, Opol Misamis Oriental and Arnel L Vertudazo, 40 years old, married and a resident of Zone 5, Malanang, Opol Misamis Oriental.
Police said the suspects were seen by several witnesses when the incident transpired.
Police said both Abellanosa and Vertudazo are known supporters of Dragon.
Police said that Dragon and the two suspects will be subjected to paraffin test and cases will be filed following an investigation. (Jigger J. Jerusalem/PNA)
