NBI to probe slay of La Union vice mayor

MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) will conduct a parallel probe into the killing of Vice Mayor Alfred Concepcion of Balaoan, La Union and wounding of his daughter Mayor Aleli Concepcion in an ambush last week.

Concepcion’s bodyguard Mike Ulep was also killed and six other persons were wounded in the ambush.  

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra ordered the NBI probe, saying the families of the victims requested it.

Meanwhile, Senior Police Officer 3 Villamor Laya, who was wounded in a gunfight with the suspects, died while being treated at the Lorma Medical Center yesterday. Another wounded police personnel, SPO1 Joel Cahigas, remains confined in the same hospital. 

The police officers clashed with the unidentified suspects who were spotted in Barangay Nadsaag in a gray Toyota Rav4 allegedly used in the ambush. 

 The gunmen reportedly fired at police officers who saw them while transferring their firearms to another vehicle. 

The victims were in a convoy of two sport utility vehicles on their way to the municipal hall when they were attacked in Barangay Cabua-an on Wednesday.

Probers are eyeing politics as among the possible motives for the killings. – Edu Punay