Two arrested after Ilocos Sur shooting between mayoral bets' supporters leaves 4 dead, 4 hurt

Authorities arrested two suspects on Saturday after a shooting incident involving supporters of rival mayoral candidates in Magsingal, Ilocos Sur left four dead and four injured, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said.

In a statement, the PNP identified the arrested suspects as Minelio Tolentino Oliver, 38, and barangay tanod Eddie Unzo, 37.

PNP officer-in-charge Police Lieutenant General Vicente Danao Jr. said the shooting incident involved supporters of mayoral candidates Lorry Salvador, Jr and Alrico Favis, husband of incumbent mayor Victoria Ina Favis.

Based on initial investigation, Salvador Jr. and his six supporters went to the house of barangay captain Corazon Fuller in Barangay Labut. Salvador and one female companion allegedly held Fuller for an unknown reason. He was later on freed after his son intervened.

When Fuller went inside their house, he heard successive gunshots that prompted him to hide, police said.

Responding authorities saw Lerry Pol Torda, 41; Recto Bagani, 65; and two unidentified male victims on the ground with gunshot wounds.

Police troops arrested suspects Oliver and Unzo while they were allegedly attempting to flee on board a Tamaraw FX Revo.

Confiscated from Oliver was one caliber .45 pistol with magazine loaded with seven live ammunition, according to the PNP.

“I have already ordered a deeper probe into the circumstances surrounding the shooting incident. Again, we earnestly appeal to the public to be cautious and avoid making conclusions on the incident until the final report and recommendations are done,” Danao said. —Joviland Rita/KG, GMA News