MANILA – The Philippine National Police (PNP) has formed a task force to probe the ambush-slay of Mayor Alexander Buquing of Sudipen town, La Union on Monday night.
“While we are saddened by this unfortunate incident, we would like to assure the families of the victims that the PNP are committed in getting into the bottom of this case and have already tasked our special investigation task group on the ground to conduct a thorough investigation. We will keep you posted as soon as developments arise,” PNP Director General Oscar Albayalde said in a statement.
Albayalde also appealed to the public to provide any information that could help in locating the perpetrators of the crime.
Albayalde offered his condolences upon learning of the deaths of Buquing and his companions.
“We offer our deepest condolences to the families of Mayor Alexander O. Boquing of Sudipen, La Union, PO2 Rolando C. Juanbe and Mr. Boni B. Depdepen who were killed by unknown assailants early this evening, Monday in Barangay Cadapli, Bangar, La Union. The Vice Mayor of Sudipen, Wendy Joy D. Boquing, who was with them, suffered gunshot wounds in different parts of her body. She is now being treated in a hospital in La Union,” the PNP Chief added.
Based on the initial investigation from the Police Regional Office 1, the shooting incident happened at around 6:45 p.m. along Bangar-Castro Provincial road, Barangay Cadali, Bangar La Union.
The mayor, her wife Vice Mayor Joy, Depdepen, and PO2 Juanbe were i a Toyota Hi-Lux (AEZ-114) when unidentified gunmen onboard a color white pick-up with unkown plate number fired upon their vehicle.
Mayor Alexander and Juanbe succumbed to multiple gunshots wound on the different parts of their bodies. They were rushed to Ilocos Sur District Hospital but were declared dead on arrival.
Depdepen was also declared dead o arrival at the Lorma Medical Center in San Fernando, La Union.
There is no word yet on the condition of Buquing who was also brought to the same hospital. (Christopher Lloyd Caliwan/PNA)
