Ex-cop accused of leading hit jobs on La Union execs surrenders to clear name

MANILA, Philippines — The former police officer accused of leading a group that assassinated several La Union politicians has surrendered to the Philippine National Police (PNP), to clear his name from the issue as he fears for his life.

According to PNP chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, dismissed cop Lt. Col. Wilson Magpali surfaced after feeling the pressure from the PNP tracker teams that were assigned to find him and the members of the so-called Magpali Group.

“Accompanied by private counsel, Magpali voluntarily appeared before the office of PNP Intelligence Group on Monday and executed an affidavit attesting that he voluntarily submitted himself to the PNP ‘to clear my name, seek redress and protection from possible harm against me’,” PNP said in a report on Tuesday.

“He maintained that ‘I am not the leader of the Magpali Gun for Hire Group and has no knowledge on the accusation of planned killing of politicians in La Union’,” PNP added.

PNP further noted that in the affidavit signed by Magpali, he vowed to cooperate with authorities while requesting to be under the custody of the police’s Intelligence Group (IG) while investigation is ongoing.

“Fearing for my life and to clear my name, honor and integrity and to clear myself from the investigation being conducted against my person, I voluntarily went to the Intelligence Group in Camp Crame, Quezon City to clear my name of the allegations of my alleged involvement,” Magpali said in his affidavit.

Reports from PNP’s acting IG Director Col. Neil Alinsañgan showed that Magpali left his apartment unit in Barangay Legazpi of Tayug town in Pangasinan last 2019, after being accused of killing a certain Freddie Ramirez.

Magpali’s name made its way to headlines again after a lawmaker claimed that the former cop was behind a failed assassination attempt on her life.

According to La Union 2nd District Rep. Sandra Eriguel, a gun-for-hire group operating within their province sparks concern as she thinks it may be used for the upcoming 2022 National and Local Elections.

Eriguel claimed that the slay attempt is similar to the killings in 2018 — including that of her husband, former Rep. Eufranio Eriguel who was assassinated before the 2018 Barangay Elections.

“Months later, more violence and killings would occur in our province. In October 2018, Sudipen Mayor Alexander Buquing was ambushed and killed, and in November 2018 Balaoan Mayor Aleli Concepcion and Vice Mayor Al-fred Concepcion were also ambushed,” she said.

“Mayor Aleli survived the attack but Vice Mayor Al-fred was killed in the carnage. Prior to all these, two (2) weeks before the 2016 National and Local Elections, an IED bomb exploded in Brgy. Sta. Barbara, Agoo, La Union targeting the convoy of Cong. Franny. One was killed in the incident and several others were seriously injured,” she added.

Eleazar assured the public though that despite Magpali’s vow to cooperate with investigations, IG would be coordinating closely with the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group for operational research and case-build-up efforts to craft a strong case against Magpali and his group.

“We respect his rights as a private individual. Until there is an order from the Court to arrest him, he remains a free man,” Eleazar said.

“We acknowledge his manifestation of good faith in submitting himself to us, but, the moment we establish a case against him, he will have face his charges squarely,” he added.