Balaoan, La Union vice mayor, aide killed in ambush —PNP

Unidentified gunmen on Wednesday shot dead the vice mayor of Balaoan town in La Union and one of his aides, according to Philippine National Police chief Director General Oscar Albayalde.

In a press statement, Albayalde said Vice Mayor Alfred Concepcion and his aide, identified as Michael Ulep, died of gunshot wounds when their two-car convoy was ambushed along the Banlaon-Luna road in Barangay Antonino at 8:22 a.m.

The two victims were reportedly declared dead on arrival at the local hospital, while

Balaoan Mayor Aleli Concepcion, the vice mayor's daughter who was also part of the convoy, survived the ambush and is undergoing treatment at a hospital.

The PNP said additional security has been provided to the local chief executive.

Albayalde said a bulletin has been raised to all municipal stations to intercept the assailants.

He added that the Provincial Mobile Force Company and SWAT of La Union are also leading massive dragnet operations in the towns of Bangar, Sudipen, Bacnotan, Santol and San Juan.

"I have directed the Regional Director of PRO-1, Chief Superintendent Romulo Sapitula to extend all possible assistance to the Concepcion family even as I assure them of the availability of PNP resources personnel for a speedy and thorough investigation of this incident," Albayalde said.

Motive

When asked about possible suspects and motives during an interview in Camp Crame, Albayalde said: "As of this time, wala pa."

"Ang sinabi lang sa akin is the two-car convoy of the victims ay naharang ng isang Rav4 at pinutukan ito at resulta is the death of the vice mayor and his aide, Michael Ulep," citing information from the regional police.

The PNP chief, however, said the police would not be discounting possibility that the attack was "politically motivated."

"...We are looking into the possibilities of also political motivation dito dahil sa mukhang mainit yung laban doon sa probinsya sa La Union," he said.

Albayalde also did not deny the possibility of the attack being the handiwork of certain PAGs or partisan armed groups, but clarified they have no evidence to pinpoint any PAGs allegedly operating in La Union.

The PNP will also be looking into how the gunmen were able to arm themselves in broad daylight in spite of police checkpoints in the area. "Yes kaya nga ito ay tinitingnan natin what went wrong at yung mga pagkukulang natin on the ground," he said.

The ambush happened more than a month after the killing of Sudipen, La Union Mayor Alexander Buquing.

Palace condemns ambush

Malacañang has condemned the ambush and vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice.

"The Palace strongly denounces the recent ambush against [Balaoan, La Union Mayor Aleli Concepcion and her father, Vice Mayor Alfred Concepcion]," presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said.

"We [will] pursue and prosecute the persons behind these brazen murders and bring them to justice," he added. — KBK/RSJ, GMA News