Cops behind La Union vice mayor’s killing?

BALAOAN, La Union, Philippines — Police officers have been tagged in the ambush that killed the vice mayor of this town, Al-Fred Concepcion, and wounded his daughter Mayor Aleli Concepcion in an ambush on Nov. 14.

Citing the account of witnesses, Concepcion’s son Carlo, a member of the La Union provincial board, said police officers could be involved in the ambush. 

“The murder of my father is pure politics and it’s a clear case of murder... According to witnesses, the perpetrators look like policemen. That’s why Mayor Aleli  asked the National Bureau of Investigation to conduct a parallel probe,” Carlo told journalists yesterday. 

He said around 15 armed men wearing bull caps, masks, bullet-proof vests and boots similar to those worn by policemen perpetrated the ambush that also killed his father’s aide Michael Ulep and wounded their six other companions.

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.

Carlo expressed dismay over the slow pace of the investigation by a police task force, noting that no person of interest has been identified.

“When I asked on the progress of the investigation... they told me that there are affidavits from witnesses, but when I asked for a copy, they refused... because they say the the investigation is not yet final,” he said. 

In a radio interview, Senior Superintendent Ricardo Layug Jr., La Union police director, gave assurance that they are exerting all efforts to solve the case.

“Let’s just wait for the investigation, everybody wants a swift resolution and justice,” Chief Inspector Silverio Ordinado Jr., La Union police information officer, said. 

Meanwhile, Councilor Nadine Concepcion has taken her oath as the new vice mayor of Balaoan.

Nadine’s husband, former councilor Rogelio Concepcion, is a cousin of the slain vice mayor.