BALAOAN, La Union – The son of slain Balaoan Vice Mayor Al-Fred Concepcion on Wednesday said he has reasons to believe that policemen could be behind the ambush that killed his father last Nov. 14 in Barangay Cabua.
In a press conference, Carlo Concepcion, a provincial board member, said politics has something to do with the murder.
The ambush also killed aide Michael Ulep and wounded six others, including Mayor Aleli Concepcion, the vice mayor’s daughter.
“We are not alleging that the hitmen are policemen but from witnesses, the perpetuators are like policemen. That’s why Mayor Aleli has asked the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to conduct parallel investigation on the matter,” Carlo said.
In her social media post, Mayor Concepcion said the ambush was meant to sabotage her and her father’s administration.
Carlo, quoting witnesses, said that there were around 15 suspects who took part in the ambush, allegedly wearing bull caps, masks, bullet proof vests, boots similar to the combat shoes used by policemen, and other protective gears.
He also criticized the slow pace of investigation being conducted by the police’s Special Investigation Task Group Concepcion.
“The police are hiding (their investigation) because when I asked on the progress of the investigation of my father’s case, they told me that there are already affidavits from witnesses, but when I asked for a copy of it, they declined to provide me because the investigation was not yet final,” he said.
As this developed, municipal councilor Nadine Concepcion has taken her oath as the town’s Vice Mayor replacing Al-Fred. Nadine is the wife of former councilor Rogelio Concepcion, a cousin of Al-Fred.
Meanwhile, Senior Supt. Ricardo Layug Jr., La Union police director, in a radio interview, said that they already have positive inputs with regards to the investigation.
Layug said, however, that they could not divulge information yet to the media because it will hamper their investigation.
Additionally, Chief Insp. ilverio Ordinado Jr, La Union police information officer, said he discounted the possibility of police involvement in the ambush because the police organization nowadays has been facing numerous problems. (Erwin Beleo)