Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 27) – A dismissed cop accused of running a gun-for-hire syndicate surrendered to authorities on Monday, Philippine National Police chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar announced on Tuesday.
Accompanied by his lawyer, former Police Lt. Col. Wilson Magpali appeared before the office of the PNP Intelligence Group and executed an affidavit attesting that he voluntarily submitted himself to the PNP to clear his name, seek redress and protection from possible harm against him, the PNP said in a statement.
He denied leading a hit squad allegedly behind the planned killings of politicians in La Union.
“I am not the leader of the Magpali Gun for Hire Group and has no knowledge on the accusation of planned killing of politicians in La Union,” the PNP quoted Magpali as saying in his affidavit.
The PNP said Magpali and his group were allegedly involved in several cases of assassination in the Ilocos Region.
His surrender came after the Department of the Interior and Local Government ordered the PNP to run after the syndicate. The manhunt stemmed from the appeal of La Union Rep. Sandra Eriguel to investigate the gun-for-hire group and the alleged assassination plot against her and two other local officials.
