LINGAYEN–Murder and frustrated murder cases have been filed against three suspects involved in the shooting of Vice Mayor Bonie Apilado of San Manuel and his driver on June 20 in Urdaneta City.

However, the three, as well as the mastermind behind the murder, remain at large and are the subject of an intensive manhunt by Task Force Apilado.

“We will not rest until all these are accounted for,” said Police Provincial Director Sr. Supt, Isagani Nerez at a news conference Thursday.

The suspects, all believe to be guns-for-hire, have been identified as Jun Fabro, alias “Jun Kalinga” of Sta. Cruz, Ilocos; Efren Macaraeg of Binalonan; and Sonny Vergara of Urdaneta City.

The three were identified in the sworn complaints filed by Cherryllne Apilado, the widow, and Jorge Apilado, brother of the victim, with the help of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group before the City Prosecutors’ Office in Urdaneta City.

The two witnesses to the slaying are Francis Ramos and Ricardo Clemente, driver of Apilado who was himself shot by the gunmen but managed to survive by running to an adjacent rice field despite his wounds.

Apilado tried to run away but the gunmen followed him and pumped more bullets into his body.

Vice Mayor Apilado lost in his bid for the mayorship of San Manuel.

Members of the Apilado family are convinced that the murder was politically motivated.—LM

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