La Union rep appeals to authorities to stop gun-for-hire group
A MEMBER of the House of Representatives has appealed to the police and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to ensure the apprehension of all those involved in a gun-for-hire group that has an alleged assassination plan against her and two municipal officials.
“As the threat on my life has become apparent most especially that the 2022 National and Local Elections is upcoming, I urge the authorities, particularly the PNP (Philippine National Police) and the NBI to investigate this matter thoroughly and expeditiously, and to identify and apprehend all personalities that may be involved in the assassination plot,” La Union Rep. Sandra Y. Eriguel said in a statement on Monday.
The local police in Bacnotan, La Union on Saturday released an intelligence report on the plan of a gun-for-hire group called Magpali to assassinate Ms. Eriguel and two town officials affiliated with the Eriguel family.
The intelligence report said the assassination was prevented when several members of the Magpali gang were arrested on June 23 following the death of a farm caretaker on June 22.
“The uncovering by the Philippine National Police of the Magpali group and the assassination plot on me and on two municipal officials is reminiscent of the violence and killings that occurred last 2018,” the congresswoman said.
Two days before the barangay elections in May 2018, Ms. Eriguel’s husband, former representative Eufranio C. Eriguel, was murdered in Agoo, La Union.
Five months later, Sudipen Mayor Alexander Buquing was killed in an ambush. A month after, Balaoan Mayor Aleli U. Concepcion and Vice Mayor Alfred Concepcion were also ambushed wherein the latter was killed.
These killings remain unsolved. — Bianca Angelica D. Añago
