Ex-Quezon town PNP chief dismissed over mayor’s son slay

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna, Philippines — The former chief of the Tayabas police and two of his men have been dismissed from the service in connection with the killing of the son of Sariaya Mayor Marcelo Gayeta last March.

Lt. Col. Mark Joseph Laygo, Cpl. Lonald Sumalpong and Patrolman Robert Legaspi were found guilty of the administrative charges filed against them, Brig. Gen. Edward Carranza, Calabarzon police director, said yesterday.

Carranza said he signed the dismissal papers of the three police officers.

The police officers, who are being held at a detention facility of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), were also charged with murder before the Department of Justice.

NBI probers have yet to establish the motive for the killing but, said it is likely that Laygo wanted to present the incident as an accomplishment.

At least 14 personnel of the Tayabas police have executed affidavits that there was no shootout in a supposed law enforcement operation that resulted in the killing of Christian Gayeta.

A police report said Christian and his companion Cristopher Manalo were killed in a shootout with police officers who responded to reports of indiscriminate firing at a gasoline station in Barangay Baguio.