THE Cordillera Police Regional Office filed criminal charges against the mayor and vice mayor of Pilar, Abra and three others over a standoff triggered by the shooting of policemen manning a checkpoint in the town last March 29.
Pilar Mayor Mark Somera and her sister, Vice Mayor Josefina Jaja Disono, were charged with violation of Republic Act 9208 as amended by RA 10364 or the Expanded Trafficking in Persons Act.
Two employees of the Pilar municipality identified as Robert Toreno, 27; and Emmanuel Valera, 26; and a helper of Disono named Jericho Bufil were charged with serious disobedience to a person in authority.
Bufil was also charged with attempted murder for allegedly shooting at the policemen who were trying to stop them after they ignored a local checkpoint.
Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año on Thursday warned anew candidates in the May 9 elections to stop employing private armed groups or they will be the subject of a massive police operation.
Año and Philippine National Police chief Gen. Dionardo Carlos issued the renewed warning in the wake of the March 29 standoff in Pilar, Abra, which ended up peacefully when 12 bodyguards of the local vice mayor turned themselves over to authorities.
The bodyguards also surrendered 14 firearms.
