2 cops charged over La Union town execs’ ambush

MANILA, Philippines — After eight months of case buildup, two counts of murder and multiple counts of frustrated murder have been filed against two police officers in connection with the ambush that left the vice mayor of Balaoan, La Union and his bodyguard dead and the mayor and five of their companions wounded.

Ferdinand Lavin, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) deputy director and spokesman, said they have gathered enough evidence to indict M/Sgt. Dario Cahigas of the La Union police intelligence division, S/Msgt. Arnold Calzado of the Ilocos police and two other John Does for the ambush.

Philippine National Police spokesman Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac asked Cahigas and Calzado to face the investigation.

“We assure the public that the PNP upholds the rule of law and will never tolerate anyone from our ranks who will commit illegal acts,” Banac said.

Vice Mayor Alfred Concepcion, 61, and his daughter Aleli, the town mayor, were in a convoy of two sport utility vehicles on their way to the municipal hall when an undetermined number of men in a Toyota Rav4 blocked their path along the Balaoan-Luna Road in Barangay Cabua-an on Nov. 14.

Concepcion died while being treated in a hospital where his aide Michael Ulep was pronounced dead on arrival.

In Zamboanga del Norte, a suspect in the killing of Liloy Regional Trial Court Judge Reymar Lacaya in May was arrested in Mati City, Davao Oriental yesterday.

NBI agents as well as police and military personnel in Tagum City collared Juliver Cabating at his hideout in Barangay Matiao at around 3 p.m. – Edith Regalado, Emmanuel Tupas