By MARTIN A. SADONGDONG
THE Philippine National Police (PNP) has created a special investigation task group (SITG) to conduct a thorough investigation on the ambush-slay of the town mayor of Sudipen, La Union Monday night.
Sudipen town Mayor Alexander Boquing, 50, was declared dead on arrival (DOA) at Ilocos Sur District Hospital in Tagudin, Ilocos Sur after sustaining multiple gunshot wounds in the head and body.
Also killed were PO2 Rolando Juanbe, 42, of Brgy. New Poblacion, Burgos, La Union, who was also declared DOA at Ilocos Sur District Hospital; and the mayor’s driver, Boni Depdepen, of Brgy. Castro, Sudipen, La Union, who was pronounced DOA at Lorma Medical Center in San Fernando, La Union.
Meanwhile, Boquing’s wife, Sudipen town Vice Mayor Wendy Joy, was rushed to Lorma Medical Center for treatment. Police said she was already out of danger after getting scraped wound in the head.
In a press briefing Tuesday morning, Chief Supt. Benigno Durana Jr., PNP spokesperson, said additional security detail will be provided to Vice Mayor Wendy Joy.
“Definitely, we will provide her with an enhanced security protection because she’s a possible witness,” Durana said.
However, the lady vice mayor has yet to speak to authorities. Durana said they will give the Boquing family a time for grieving before getting statements from them.
Meanwhile, Mayor Boquing was not included in the narco-list, Durana confirmed. He said all the motives behind the killing are being considered by the SITG, including politics, personal grudge, and business.
Chief Insp. Cirilio Butigan, chief of Bangar Municipal Police, said the mayor and vice mayor have not received any death threats.
Durana also clarified that PO2 Juanbe is not a security detail of Mayor Boquing, contrary to earlier reports.
“No he is not [a police security escort]. According to the SITG, nakisabay lang siya sa sasakyan pauwi,” Durana explained.
The policeman will be given all the benefits duly accorded to a slain cop, Durana said.
A report from the Police Regional Office (PRO) 1 disclosed that around 6:45 p.m., Boquing and the other victims were traversing Bangar-Castro Provincial Road in Brgy. Cadapli, Bangar, La Union onboard a black Toyota Hi-Lux (AEZ 114) when an unknown number of gunmen opened fire at their vehicle.
The gunmen, armed with M16 rifles, were said to be tailing the victims onboard a white pickup without a plate number.
Police said the Boquings were on their way home in Brgy. New Poblacion, Burgos, La Union when the attack happened.
The PNP spokesperson also revealed that the case could be brought before the National Investigation Task Group (NITG) created by the PNP last month to oversee killings of local government officials.
Boquing was the 11th mayor killed since July 2016 or under the current administration. Aside from that, six vice mayors have also been killed since July 2016.
Boquing won as the mayor of Sudipen town in 2016 under the Liberal Party. He first ran into office in 2004.
