Ligan orders security for slain chief’s successor

By Jennifer P. Rendon

The Police Regional Office 6 has ordered the San Joaquin Municipal Police Station to ensure the safety of a female village official amid perceived threats to her life following the killing of her predecessor.

Brig. Gen. Josefino Ligan, Western Visayas police chief, directed local police on Monday to document the alleged threat against the new barangay captain of Barangay Ginot-an and conduct a threat assessment.

A few days ago, two men on board a motorcycle allegedly knocked on her door and told her, “Kap, indi ka na mag-intra sa kaso.”

The official said she did not know the two men.

What troubled her more, she said, was that the incident happened at 3:40 a.m.

Capt. Isagani Tabares, chief of the San Joaquin Municipal Police Station, said the village chief had the incident entered in the police blotter.

“Siguro, depende sa appreciation nya and warning,” Tabares said.

He added that police are closely looking into the incident.

The new village chief assumed the post after the killing of Barangay Captain Richard Sapalo.

The Iloilo Police Provincial Office filed a murder case against alias “Toto,” also a resident of Barangay Ginot-an, before the Iloilo Provincial Prosecutor’s Office.

A witness reportedly saw Toto near Sapalo’s house shortly after a gunshot was heard at about 2:30 a.m. on Feb. 26.

The suspect was allegedly still holding a handgun as he hurriedly left the scene, police said.

Police are looking at personal grudge as the possible motive for the crime.

Toto had allegedly been accused of cattle rustling and is out on bail.

Sapalo allegedly issued a certificate of ownership for the stolen cattle, which formed part of the evidence against the suspect.

Police said this allegedly did not sit well with Toto, who supposedly harbored a grudge against the victim.

Meanwhile, Tabares confirmed that the new village chief is not one of their witnesses.