Suspect in Ecija mayor slay plot killed during interrogation

SAN ANTONIO, NUEVA ECIJA—A suspect in an alleged plot to assassinate Mayor Arvin Salonga of San Antonio town was killed during interrogation on Friday (Aug. 11).

READ: Cops foil plot to kill mayor in Nueva Ecija

Alex Panganiban, a 42-year-old resident of Lucena City, grabbed the handgun of a police officer and was shot. He died from gunshot wounds at 2:55 p.m., said Insp. James Cainguitan, San Antonio deputy police chief.

Panganiban and former policeman Ruelito Roxas, also of Lucena City, were arrested outside the town hall on July 31 for possessing unlicensed firearms, a hand grenade and several rounds of ammunition.

Roxas’s mobile telephone contained details of the plan to kill Salonga, allegedly upon the instructions of an incumbent councilor

Roxas was at his detention cell when Panganiban allegedly wrestled the 9mm service pistol of PO1 Rolando Ebo and fired at PO2 Alvin Azarcon, who were questioning him about a murder case being heard at the Regional Trial Court Branch 18 in Tagaytay City.

Cainguitan said Panganiban’s first shot missed and the gun jammed, allowing Azarcon to fire back.

Relatives have yet to claim Panganiban’s body. JPV