Security tightened in Dinagat Island town

BUTUAN CITY - Caraga Police Regional director Chief Superintendent Antonio Dator Nañas on Friday called for the augmentation of police forces in the island town of Loreto in Dinagat Islands province following the shooting of a supporter of a mayoral candidate in the said town. In a news conference, Nañas told local newsmen and election officials here who attended the launching of the weekly PNP-sponsored "Talakayan Sa Isyung Pulis or T.S.I.P" that he sent augmentation police forces in the island town to prevent further bloodshed due to possible reprisals from the aggrieved party. On Thursday, a supporter of a mayoral candidate was gunned down by unidentified gunmen at Sitio Kawayahan in Esperanza village. Nañas identified the victim as Junie Ablites, a resident of San Juan village in Loreto town. The report said Ablites was on his motorcycle heading for a political meeting when waylaid by unidentified armed men about 8:30 a.m. Ablites is reportedly a supporter of Doandre Ladaga, Lakas-CMD mayoral bet in Loreto. Investigation showed the gunmen, who were on board a Toyota pickup with plate No. GED 551, blocked the path of Ablites and peppered him with bullet. Reports have it that the suspects' pickup is said to be owned by a political rival of Ladaga. The ambushers fled after the incident. Villagers who saw the incident, rushed the victim to the Loreto District Hospital. Ablites was referred to Caraga Regional Hospital in Surigao City for further medical attention for his gunshot wound in the upper left back portion of his shoulder. - Alvin Guanzon, GMANews.TV