7 in Laguna mayor slay charged with murder

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna- Police on Friday filed double murder and frustrated murder charges against seven people for the killing of Sta. Rosa City Mayor Leon Arcillas almost two years ago. Those charged include three suspected gunmen and an executive assistant of suspended mayor Joey Catindig.. Police identified the gunmen as Herminigildo “Pato" Vibal Jr., 27, of General Mariano Alvarez, Cavite ; Arnold David, 21, resident of San Pedro, Laguna; and Cipriano Refrea Jr., 27, also of San Pedro town. The three were members of the street gang Royal Blood Gangsta, which has allegedly turned to gun-for-hire activities. Also charged were Catindig’s executive assistant, Edwin Baqueros, of Barangay Dita, Sta. Rosa City ; Ricardo “Peter" Pineda, a businessman and resident of Cabuyao, Laguna; Daniel Yason, a contractor at the Sta. Rosa city hall; and one John Doe. The four, who remained at large, allegedly contacted the gunmen, negotiated for the “contract price" for the assassination of Arcillas and even provided firearms to the hitmen. Arcillas, an ally of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, was shot to death inside the new city hall minutes after he held a mass wedding on May 10, 2005. Also killed in the attack was the mayor’s close-in security, PO2 Erwin Rivera. His other police bodyguard, PO3 Wilfredo Almendras, survived the attack. Police said the three suspected gunmen were arrested on December 15. -GMANews.TV