Gun-for-hire group likely behind Buquing slay in La Union —PNP

The early evening ambush that killed Sudipen, La Union Mayor Alexander Buquing and two of his security detail appears to be a professional hit by a gun-for-hire group, the Philippine National Police said on Tuesday.

PNP spokesperson Benigno Durana said the agency had yet to identify the mastermind behind the attack but added that such incidents tend to increase as the elections draw near.

The filing of candidacy for the May 2019 polls is scheduled on October 11 to 18.

“Di pa namin ma-identify definitely [kung sino ang mga assailant]. We are looking at all angles, but our initial assessment is that this is a well-perpetrated crime by gun-for-hire elements,” Durana said.

“That is why the PNP Chief [Oscar Albayalde] tasked asked to go after these gun-for-hire syndicates. Based on our study, incidents involving gun-for-hire and private armed groups tend to spike in the run up to the elections,” he added.

The police earlier reported that Buquing's wife, Sudipen-La Union vice mayor Wendy Joy survived the deadly attack because her husband used his body to shield his wife. The couple and two other victims who died, driver Boni Depdepen and police protection officer PO2 Rolando Juanbe, were riding the same car when the tragedy happened.

But while vice mayor Wendy is out of danger for now, Durana said that she will still remain under police protection.

“She will have enhanced security. May banta pa rin sa kanyang buhay dahil she remains a possible witness [to the crime],” Durana said.

Durana then said that they expect the wife's testimony to be crucial in their quest for justice, but such testimony would have to wait a little while since the family is still mourning.

“They are still grieving the loss of the mayor. After some time we can sit down [with the wife], get a statement that hopefully would give us a lead on who are behind this killing,” Durana added.

Buquing is the 11th mayor to be killed since President Rodrigo Duterte came to power in June 30, 2016. —NB, GMA News