LP leader shot dead in Abra; suspect nabbed

DOLORES, Abra – A local leader of the Liberal Party here was gunned down here April 20 and one of his four attackers was arrested in a pursuit operation.

Chief Supt. Benjamin Magalong, Cordillera police director, said investigators were still trying to check if an old grudge motivated the killing of 32-year-old Tirso Cadangan Talledo here of Barangay Libtec.

But he added there were strong indications intense political rivalry in Dolores had something to do with the attack.

Talledo, a leader of Dolores mayoral bet David Guzman of LP, was stopped on his way home along the Cabaroan-Libtec Road and shot at close range by four men, police said.

Investigators found 12 cartridges for .45 caliber and seven for 9-mm at the crime scene.

Police later arrested one of Talledo’s four attackers who yielded a .45-caliber pistol, and seized the two motorcycles used in the killing.

Magalong identified the arrested suspect as Ronnie Cagaid Caray, of Barangay Cabaoan, San Juan town.

The suspect was arrested in Sitio Calading, Barangay Pacac and was found in possession of a Cal. 45 pistol with two magazines loaded with ammunition including two motorcycles used in the shooting.

Prior to the arrest, the victim was travelling heading towards Barangay Libtec riding on a motorcycle driven by Jessie Alagao Caballero when they were stopped by 4 male persons at Sitio Ukiang, Barangay Cabaruan, Dolores.

The suspects suddenly shot the victim several times on the different parts of his body causing his instant death while the driver was left unhurt.

The suspects immediately escaped towards Ukiang.  on board a Yamaha DT and Rusi motorcycle colored black.

The suspect is now under the custody of Dolores police including the firearms and the two motorcycles recovered from the suspect.

Investigation and hot pursuit operation are underway for the identification and arrest of the other suspects who eluded the pursuing police operatives.

“We just received information that one of the suspects tried to kill the local LP leader in 2010 but failed,” said Magalong.

Magalong said he ordered Abra police director Benjamin Lusad to ascertain the motive behind the killing, although he said evidence “indicates it is related to politics.”

Joint personnel of the Abra Police Provincial Office and the Special Action Force were cited for arresting Caray.