NBI probes slay of La Union vice mayor

By Jun Elias, Erwin Beleo and Jessica Barriento 

BALAOAN, La Union -- The National Bureau of Investigation has started a parallel probe into the killing of Vice Mayor Alfred Concepcion of this town and wounding of his daughter Mayor Aleli Concepcion in an ambush.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra ordered the NBI probe, saying the families of the victims requested it.

This, as one of the two police officers wounded in the ambush has died.

SPO3 Villamor Laya died on Nov. 18 from a gunshot wound on his head.

The other police officer SPO1 Joel Cahigas, who was injured on his face, remain confined at the Lorma Medical Center.

It was learned that the two policemen proceeded to the area where residents spotted the car, a gray Toyota Rav 4, allegedly used by the suspects in the ambush.

However, as they went near the vehicle, the occupants fired at them. They fired back at the suspects but were outnumbered.

Reports indicated that the gunmen were spotted in Barangay Nadsaag, San Juan while they were transferring their firearms to another vehicle.

Concepcion’s bodyguard Michael “Mike” Ulep was also killed in the ambush.

Aside from the mayor, also wounded were Roderick Orfiano, Ronniel Valdez, Joey Lopez, Dominador Bautista, and Roberto Octavio.

The victims were in a convoy of two sport utility vehicles on their way to the municipal hall when they were waylaid in front of Balaoan Elementary School in Barangay Cabua-an, Balaoan at around 8:10 a.m. on Nov. 14

A police task force is now investigating the ambush where 

persons were also wounded.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

He said the vehicle of Mayor Concepcion, another vehicle where her father Vice Mayor Concepcion was, and a motorcycle driven by 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.

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.

Mayor Concepcion is now in stable condition.