LU vice mayor slain; vice mayor, 7 hurt in ambush

Investigation task group formed 

By Jessica Barriento

BALAOAN, La Union – A police task force is now investigating the death of the town mayor and wounding of the vice mayor who is his daughter when they were ambushed by unidentified gunmen here Wednesday morning.

Seven persons were also wounded in the ambush and taken to hospitals in critical condition.

The convoy of Balaoan town mayor Aleli Concepcion and vice mayor Alfred Concepcion was ambushed by unidentified gunmen, said La Union Police Provincial Director Senior Supt. Ricardo Layug.

He added the incident took place around 8:10 a.m. on Balaoan Luna Road, Barangay Cabuaan.

Also wounded were identified as Roniel R. Valdez, 45, driver of Mayor Concepcion; Dominador S. Bautista, 30; Joey V. Lopez, 33. driver of vice mayor Concepcion; Samuel O. Natividad, 46;; Danilo C. Mendoza, 50,kagawad; Roberto A. Octavo, 58, tricycle driver, bystander and Marilou O. Dingle, 37, bystander.

Police found at the crime scene empty shells of Cal. 5.56.

Meanwhile, an alleged vehicle used in the ambush was recovered in Barangay Nadsaag, San Juan, La Union.

Layug said the victims and their companions were riding in two separate vehicles on their way to the municipal hall when assailants attacked them.

The two officials were brought to the hospital but there are no reports yet of their current condition.

Immediately after the ambush a special investigation task group was created.

In an interview with Chief Supt. Romulo E Sapitula, regional police director of Region 1, the task group aims to conduct an in-depth investigation of the shooting incident morning of Nov. 14 a.

He said the vehicle of Mayor Concepcion, another vehicle where her father Vice Mayor Concepcion was, and a motorcycle driven by Michael M.Ulep were in a convoy going to the municipal hall when they were fired upon by gunmen on board a vehicle of still undetermined description.

Initial investigation revealed that all the occupants of the vehicles sustained gunshot wounds and were all rushed to Balaoan District Hospital in Balaoan, La Union and Lorma Medical Center in City of San Fernando for medical treatment.

However vice mayor Concepcion and Ulep were declared dead on arrival.

In an interview with Chief Insp. Silverio Ordinado Jr, spokesperson of La Union Police Provincial Office, the said vehicle was found abandoned.

The said vehicle is now under the custody of the police for further investigation.

It was also known that mayor Concepcion is now in stable condition.