PANGASINAN 2 hired guns in mayor’s murder fall

Police operatives arrested recently in Umingan, Pangasinan a suspected gun-for-hire and the woman who allegedly financed the group that carried out the killing of Mayor Julian Resuello of San Carlos City, Pangasinan and his bodyguard in 2007.

Chief Inspector Jose Abaya, Umingan chief of police, identified the arrested as Loida Mendoza whom he tagged as the leader of the Gonzales Group of hired killers as well as financier of the Pogito Gun-for-Hire Group; and John Gumagaco, formerly a member of the Gonzales Group.

Mendoza was arrested at noon last Tuesday by joint elements of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and Umingan Municipal Police Station (MPS) on Rizal Street, Barangay Poblacion East, Umingan.

A dual citizen, Mendoza had long been staying abroad and when she returned, a warrant for her arrest was issued in connection with the double murder charges she is facing before the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 57, presided by Judge Jaime Dojillo Jr.

Gumagaco, on the other hand, was arrested last Wednesday in Barangay Luna West, also in Umingan. He was a member of Mendoza’s gun-for-hire group, but has been recently identified by the Lupao Municipal Police Station (LPS) as a member of the Ignacio Gunfor-Hire Group, said Abaya.

The case stems from the gunning down of Mayor Resuello and his bodyguard as they left the San Carlos City auditorium during the fiesta celebration in April, 2007.