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Abra vice mayor faces charges over shootout; bodyguard killed

Philippines | National

Abra vice mayor faces charges over shootout; bodyguard killed

By Aaron Recuenco

The Philippine National Police (PNP) is now preparing a string of criminal charges against the reelections vice mayor of Pilar, Abra in connection with the firefight at a police checkpoint and ensuing gun battle that resulted in the death of the local executive's bodyguard who turned out to be a former member of the Philippine Marine Corps.

PNP spokesperson Police Col. Jean Fajardo said the house of Vice Mayor Jaja Josefina Desono is still cordoned and being guarded by the local police as they are not totally cooperating in the investigation.

But she said the local investigators were already allowed to check on the cadaver who turned out to be a former soldier who went on AWOL (Absent Without Official Leave) since 2014.

Among the charges that are expected to be filed against Desono and her bodyguards are violations of gun ban and other criminal cases that stemmed from disregarding the police checkpoint, deliberately ramming the two policemen who were supposed to check the vehicle, and open firing at the police personnel as they sped away.

"There is a gun ban now so it's considered as election offense plus there was a gun seized and although it is registered under the vice mayor, she could be charged with other cases," said Fajardo.

"We are also looking into administrative liability with respect to the vice mayor employing bodyguard without exemption or authority from the Commission on Elections," she added.

On Tuesday morning, a van disregarded a police checkpoint near the town proper of Pilar town and even rammed the two policemen who were about to check the vehicle. The occupants of the car even shot the cops on their way to escape.

Police pursued the van and it was seen entering the compound owned by Desono.

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