EX-VICE MAYOR ACQUITTED

BACARRA, Ilocos Norte, March 29–RTC Judge Francisco Quilala of Branch 14 exonerated former vice mayor of this town Villamor Ramelb from murder charges in connection with the fatal shooting of the late Bacarra mayor Philip Velasco on May 20, 2007. The court said it gave no weight to the witness’ testimonies, hence, the accused was found innocent of the crime. Record showed that the mayor was attending a farmers’ day night celebration at the public auditorium when an assassin repeatedly shot him in front of many people. The gunman was also killed as he fled from the crime scene.