6 security aides of losing mayoral bet nabbed in Laguna

SAN PEDRO CITY — The police on Tuesday would file charges against the six security aides of defeated Biñan City, Laguna mayoral candidate Donna Yatco.

Yatco lost to reelectionist mayor Arman Dimaguila of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan, who was proclaimed winner on Tuesday.

City police chief Lt. Col. Danilo Mendoza, in a phone interview Tuesday, said Yatco’s bodyguards were arrested Monday evening shortly after the election wrapped up at the Pagkakaisa Elementary School in Barangay (village) San Antonio.

He said the men were caught carrying several firearms near the polling precinct, a violation of the election gun ban.

They were identified as Eduardo Pontillas, Ruben Afable, Aven Pabit, Edgine Olcepido, Arnel Pamittan, and Antonio Austria.

Their supposed leader, identified as a certain Marines Col. Rey Liwag, had escaped. “They said they were security aides of Yatco,” Mendoza said.

He said throughout election day, the police had received several reports of harassment of Dimaguila’s supporters by Yatco’s aides. The police later chanced upon the men near the school.

Police earlier reported that Pontillas and Pabit were members of the Philippine Army, but Mendoza clarified that they were civilians.

Even with the election over, Mendoza said they would still pursue the case of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition. (Editor: Leti Boniol)