Gunman in murder of La Union mayor falls

BALAOAN, La Union, Philippines — The alleged gunman in the killing of Mayor Alexander Buquing of Supiden, La Union was arrested in this town yesterday. 

 Rosendo Sibayan, 29, a resident of Barangay Butubut Norte, was arrested after a raid on his house yielded ammunition for a caliber 5.56, Chief Inspector Silverio Ordinado Jr., La Union police information officer, said. 

The bullets were brought to Camp Florendo for cross-matching of the bullet shells recovered in Barangay Cadapli, Bangar, La Union where Buquing was ambushed.

Sibayan, who is facing another murder case, was charged with two counts of murder by the families of Buquing’s bodyguard Police Officer 2 Rolando Juanbe and driver Bonifacio Depdepen. 

Buquing’s wife Wendy Joy, who was wounded in the ambush, said she would file murder and attempted murder charges against Sibayan after the burial of her husband.

Wendy Joy has taken her oath as the new mayor of Supiden.

Councilor Mandy Adviento was named vice mayor.