Isabela vice mayor shot dead by NPA rebels—police

New People’s Army. FILE PHOTO

CITY OF CAUAYAN, Isabela — Armed men suspected to be New People’s Army rebels shot and killed Jones town Vice Mayor Ronaldo Lucas early Wednesday, shortly after they detained him and his companions for allegedly violating the rebel agreement to campaign in the May 9 elections, police said.

Earlier, suspected rebels had stopped a convoy of vehicles carrying Lucas and his companions in Dicamay 2  village in Jones. They allowed the convoy to leave but detained Lucas, Jones Councilor Suzette Lucas and an unidentified employee.

Ronaldo Lucas was later killed, police said. The councilor and the employee were released unharmed.

In a statement, the NPA Benito Tesorio Command claimed responsibility for killing Lucas. The rebels said Lucas had violated the terms of his NPA permit to campaign. They also said Lucas and his men were allegedly caught buying votes and carrying firearms during the campaign period.

Lucas was serving the term of Vice Mayor Florante Raspado, who was killed inside the Jones town hall in April last year.  SFM