AGOO, La Union – A candidate for barangay captain in the May 14 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Election was charged with multiple murder in connection with the assassination of former La Union 2nd district Representative Eufranio “Franny” Eriguel and two of his body guards in Barangay Capas here on Saturday night.
Lawyer Cherry Ontalan, chief of staff of Rep. Sandra Eriguel, wife of the former lawmaker, said that a criminal complaint has been filed against an individual, which was identified by sources as a certain Felizardo Villanueva, a candidate for barangay chair in Capas village.
Villanueva allegedly was among those who have linked with the unidentified suspects in the assasination because of text messages from his cellphone, which was seized by authorities after the killing. It was not clear what these messages contained or their sources identified.
“Franny” was killed along with his bodyguards, Bong Tubera and Bobby Ordinario. Eight other individuals were wounded in the attack, two of them in critical condition at the La Union Medical Hospital here.
Rep. Eriguel, who represents the second congressional district here, and her family expressed belief that politics was behind her husband’s murder.
“The family believes that the murder of Franny was politically-motivated because this happened close to the election day. I respectfully appeal to President Duterte to help fast track the investigation of this cowardly act that should not be tolerated ,” Rep. Eriguel said.
“Franny” was then speaking at the “miting de avance” of candidates at the plaza in Barangay Capas when the assailants shot him and his bodyguards with M16 Armalite rifles.
The suspects were on board a black Toyota Montero and a white Innova when they arrived at the place and initiated the assasination. Jun Elias/Northbound Philippines News