Trece Martires mayor, 4 others face raps over vice mayor’s killing

The gunmen, whose black sports utility vehicle did not have a plate or conduction sticker, fled toward the direction of Indang, Cavite. (PNA photo)

MANILA — The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday filed a criminal complaint before the Department of Justice (DOJ) against Trece Martires City Mayor Melandres Desagun and four others over the alleged killing of Vice Mayor Alex Lubigan and his driver Romulo Guillemer last July.

Gemma Lubigan, wife of the slain vice mayor, accompanied by Police Regional Office 4-A (Calabarzon) Director Edward Carranza and Cavite Police Chief William Segun filed murder and frustrated murder complaints against Desagun, Maragondon Cavite Councilor Lawrence Arca, Luis Vasquez Abad Jr., Ariel Fletchetro Paiton, Rhonel Bersamina and several John and Jane Does.

Last July 7, Lubigan, 44, and his driver Guillemer, 50, died on the spot after their black Toyota Hi-Lux was riddled with bullets by gunmen, who were on board a similar vehicle, along the Trece Martires-Indang Road in Barangay Luciano, Trece Martires City.

The vice mayor’s security aide Romeo Edrinal, 56, who was also on board, was injured in the attack.

The gunmen, whose black sports utility vehicle did not have a plate or conduction sticker, fled toward the direction of Indang, Cavite.

It was reported that Lubigan was on his third term as vice mayor.