LAOAG CITY—Police on Friday arrested newly installed Mayor Jessie Ermitanio of Marcos town in Ilocos Norte province in connection with the raid on his house where several unlicensed firearms and explosives were seized.
Police also said charges were being readied against Ermitanio for the killing of his predecessor, Mayor Arsenio Agustin, on June 3. This was after a detained suspect, Bernie Lazo, also known as Alex Vergara, linked the mayor to the murder of Agustin, said Senior Supt. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., Ilocos Norte police director.
Ermitanio was elected vice mayor and had succeeded Agustin, who was shot and killed in Barangay Mabuti in Marcos where he was inspecting a water impounding dam project.
Lazo, a cousin of Ermitanio’s wife, used to serve as driver and bodyguard for the incumbent mayor before he was hired as driver of Agustin for four months.
Ermitanio was arrested at his house in Barangay Lydia by policemen after a series of raids on his properties, where unlicensed high-powered weapons and explosives were seized. Some of the guns were hidden in a well at the mayor’s compound.
Ermitanio denied Lazo’s allegations, saying, “I don’t know what he is talking about. I am clean and innocent. I did not plan it.”
He appealed to Marcos residents to remain calm and said he would consult his lawyer about the case.
Lazo said Ermitanio had asked him to guide Andy de la Paz, the suspected gunman, and a lookout, Joseph Datu, to the dam project site that Agustin was inspecting. De la Paz was arrested in Abra province while Datu was arrested in Ilocos Sur province.
Lazo claimed he was offered P150,000 by Ermitanio to kill Agustin. He said he had intended to use the money for the repair of his house in Cagayan province.
Lazo was arrested when his DNA was found on a toothbrush, cigarette butts and water bottles found at the crime scene.
Lazo met Ermitanio at the conference hall of Camp Valentin S. Juan on Friday. He said: “My life is already damaged and I have made up my mind. Pasensiya na, bayaw (Pardon me). Thank you for not killing me yet but please give me your balance payment (P80,000) so that I have something to use while in jail.”
Ermitanio’s driver, Renato Esta, was also arrested at his house in Marcos. —LEILANIE ADRIANO