A town police chief in the province of La Union was sacked from his post while six policemen detailed as security escorts for candidates were pulled out following a brief gun battle between the groups of two politicians in Agoo town on Friday, a regional police commander said Saturday.

Chief Supt. Constante Azares Jr., director of the Ilocos Region Police Office, said he had also ordered the creation of a special task group that will conduct a through investigation on the gunfight allegedly between the camps of La Union 2nd District congressional candidate Eufranio Eriguel, and Agoo mayoralty candidate Ma. Theresa Dumpit-Michellena.

Quoting initial field reports, Azares said supporters of Eriguel allegedly surrounded the house of Dumpit-Michellena at  around 2:45 p.m. in Barangay San Julian West in Agoo.

Shouting allegedly ensued between the two camps, followed by bursts of gunfire coming from both sides that lasted for several minutes.

The report stated that the exchange of fire only stopped when the persons involved scampered upon the arrival of responding policemen from the Agoo Police Station.

“In response to the situation, I have ordered the relief of the Agoo chief of police and designated Police Chief Insp. Joel Quintero as replacement effective April 3,” said Azares.

“Likewise, I have directed the deployment of a team from the 1st Regional Public Safety Management Battalion.

Azares also ordered the recall of PO3 Ronald Carig and PO2 Jose Rebualos as security detail for Dumpit-Michellena; SPO2 Mark Cera and PO3 Marturo Lachicaon as detail for Eriguel; and, SPO4 Antonio Casem and PO3 Romil Dacanay as security detail for Agoo incumbent Mayor Sandra Eriguel who is the wife of the involved congressional candidate.