Seven unidentified armed men yesterday burned a cargo truck owned by a councilor who is a party-mate of Vice Mayor Santiago Barcelona in Brgy. Tamlang, Escalante City .

This came two weeks after Jury Alsado, a supporter of Barcelona , was gunned down in Escalante, an assassination that was claimed by the New People's Army Jean Pelle Command.

Initial police investigations showed that the unidentified group who torched the 6x6 cargo truck of Councilor Antonio Encarquez, carried hand guns.

Damage to the burned cargo truck had not been determined yet by the Escalante police last night and investigations are still underway.

Police probers are also verifying reports that the arsonists are members of the New People's Army.

Aside from Alsado, a former close-in security man of Barcelona when he was mayor of Escalante was the fourth supporter of the vice mayor killed since the mid-term elections last year.

Other supporters of Barcelona killed so far were Eliseo Cumawas, Kagawad Romeo Agaton and Ferjun Damalerio whose father, Norberto, a barangay captain, was also injured.

The assassinations of Agaton and Damalerio were also claimed by rebels, but the families of the victims suspect politics behind them.

Troopers of the 611 th Provincial Mobile Group are beefing up the Escalante police force to maintain peace and order in the area*GPB

back to top