Anda’s ex-mayor’s killer charged with murder

By January 9, 2022Peace and Order

THE former bodyguard of ex-Anda mayor Aldrin Cerdan was charged with murder at the Regional Trial Court in Alaminos City on January  3.

PO/Col. Richmond Tadina, Pangasinan Police Provincial Office director, told a press conference that William Cagampan of Barangay Namagbagan was charged for the killing of Cerdan on New Year’s Day inside his farm.

Cerdan, 50, a former three-term mayor, and a resident of Barangay Poblacion, was resting on a hammock when Cagampan arrived on board a motorcycle armed with an M16 rifle shot him after a brief talk.

The suspect, who was reportedly drunk, asked Cerdan to lend him money.

Cerdan was declared dead on arrival at the town’s rural health unit.

Recovered from the crime scene were nine pieces of fired cartridge of M16. The M16 used by the suspect was later recovered.

The police formed Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) Cerdan that is gathering statements and other pieces of evidence to help solve the killing of the former mayor and to make the case filed “airtight”.

Tadina said they have six witnesses willing to testify against the suspect but clarified that the investigation will continue even if the suspect was charged in court..

“We don’t want to speculate. We want to base on evidence gathered,” he added because the suspect gave inconsistent statements.

Tadina added, “whatever is circulating in social media, let it just be in social media because to us, we base it on forensics and pieces of evidence gathered”.

He added that what’s noteworthy is, with the help of concerned barangay officials, the police managed to arrest the suspect in Barangay Tondol, Anda in two and a half hours after the crime in a hot pursuit operation.

Cagampan served as bodyguard of Cerdan for nine years during the former mayor’s incumbency.

He added that they have beefed up the police force in Anda and tightened checkpoints at the lone entrance to the town at the bridge to make people feel secure. (Eva Vispera/Jerick Pasiliao)

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