Raps filed vs gunman in La Union mayor’s slay

BALAOAN, La Union, Philippines —The La Union provincial prosecutor’s office filed charges on Monday against the alleged gunman in the killing of Mayor Alexander Buquing of Supiden, La Union.

In a 12- page resolution filed before a regional trial court in this town, provincial prosecutor Danilo Bumacod said there is probable cause to file three counts of murder and frustrated murder against Rolando Sibayan and four John Does.

“All circumstances would lead to a finding... that Sibayan was one of those who shot Mayor Buquing, PO2 Rolando Juanbe and driver Bonifacio Depdepen and wounded Vice Mayor Wendy Joy (Buquing)... with the use of an unlicensed firearm,” the resolution read. 

The victims were in a Toyota Hilux on their way home in Barangay Castro when they were waylaid in Barangay Cadapli, Bangar town on Oct. 1.

A witness identified Sibayan as the person who was holding an M16 rifle and alighted from a white pickup that blocked the vehicle of the victims.

Sibayan was arrested on Oct. 9 after a raid on his house yielded ammunition for a caliber 5.56.

“After cross-matching... the PNP (Philippine National Police) Crime Laboratory... said... the fired cartridges recovered at the crime scene and the cartridge taken from Sibayan were fired from one and the same firearm,” Bumacod said.

Wendy Joy, who assumed the post vacated by her husband, filed her certificate of candidacy for mayor of Supiden in next year’s elections.