Apayao police creates task group to solve killing of Luna councilor

By Redjie  Melvic Cawis

LUNA, Apayao -- The Apayao Provincial Police Office has created a task group to solve the shooting incident on Monday that killed newly appointed municipal councilor  Bienvenido Verzola III here.

Provincial police director Senior Supt. Alberlito Garcia  said Verzola was shot in front of his water refilling station by still unidentified person at around 8:30 p.m.

The victim was rushed to the Far Northern Luzon General Hospital and Training Center but was declared dead on arrival by attending physicians.

He said the police are considering all factors including political, business and  personal motives.

But he said they are not dwelling much on the political motive since the person is not a politician by nature.

Verzola was appointed municipal councilor  last Jan. 7 following the death his mother, mayor  Betty Verzola, who was killed in tragic car accident in June last year, barely a month after assuming her second term as municipal mayor.

Meanwhile, Luna town police chief Senior Insp. Lorvin Layugan said the case was an isolated incident and  considered the first of its kind in the peaceful town of Luna in years.

Luna is home to at least 20, 000 people.

For the past years, Apayao has been the most peaceful province  in the Cordillera.