12 security aides of Abra town vice mayor surrender after standoff with police

A bullet penetrates the windshield of a police patrol car in Pilar, Abra, after police officers manning a checkpoint clashed with security aides of Vice Mayor Jaja Josefina Somera Disono on Tuesday. (PHOTO COURTESY OF PNP – CORDILLERA)

MANILA, Philippines — Twelve private security officers of Pilar, Abra Vice Mayor Jaja Josefina Disono have surrendered to authorities, the provincial police office said Thursday.

The security personnel were involved in a standoff with the police after they reportedly evaded a checkpoint.

“Through the intervention at ‘yung pakikialam ng ating butihing (and intervention of our good) regional director… we were able to convince some of the private security ni (of) vice mayor,” Abra Provincial Police Office public information officer Major Edwin Sergio said on TeleRadyo’s Kabayan.

“Meron pong sumurrender kahapon na 12 na katao po,” he said.

(There were 12 individuals who surrendered yesterday.)

The Philippine National Police (PNP) earlier reported that the standoff took place at Disono’s residence where suspects took refuge after eluding the checkpoint.

PNP Public Information Office chief Brigadier General Roderick Alba said that police officers manning the checkpoint tried to flag down a white van, which sped off instead.

The speeding vehicle injured two police officers.

Meanwhile, one security aide of Disono was confirmed dead following an exchange of gunfire.

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