Deeper probe ordered on slay of Abra doctor, wife

By Myds Supnad

BAUANG, La  Union -- Police are facing blank wall on the brutal shooting to death of a prominent doctor in Abra and his wife in this coastal town, even as Chief Supt. Ricardo Marquez ordered a thorough investigation into the killing in what some believed was politically motivated.

La Union police initially  eyed either business  and  politics  as behind  the ambush of  Dr. Mario Valera, 50, son of Dr. Clarito Valera who owns the St. James hospital,  and wife Viana Valera, 48,  a doctor and  his  wife  while traveling  along  Barangay Acao, La  Union 7:40 p.m. Wednesday,

Senior Supt. Sterling Blanco, regional police intelligence officer said la Union police headed by Chief Insp.  Rey Lisardo are digging deeper on the case as directed by Marquez.

Lizardo said business and politics were possible  motives  of  killing  of  the  couple who both reside in Bangued, Abra.

The Valeras are prominent families in Abra.

Bystanders rushed the victims to  Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center where they were declared  dead  on  arrival due  to multiple  gunshot wounds.

Police  said the couple was  on  board  a Montero Sports  car  being  driven  by  Mario  when  the  suspects riding  in tandem  shot them at close  range .

Probers   recovered seven empty shells of Cal. 38 at the crime site.

Police said the Valeras had just brought a grandchild to a relative’s house in the village.

Sources said the Valeras, who owned a private hospital in Abra, were temporarily residing at a rented apartment in this town.

 “We were shocked to learn about the killing of the Valeras,” said Dr. Ramon Dickson, a newly-elected board member in Abra.