Hired gunman admits to killing La Union couple

MANILA, Philippines - A man who confessed last month to killing Abra congressman Luis Bersamin in 2006 has also admitted to killing a couple in La Union last May 23, a police official said yesterday.

Lindon Alzate, 31, a resident of Manabo town, said he shot dead doctor Mario Valera and his wife, Viana, along the Naguilian-Baguio Road, according to Chief Inspector George Dipalog, who heads the Bauang, La Union police force.

Alzate, who was arrested for illegal gun possession in Quezon City last month, was charged with double murder before the Department of Justice in connection with the couple’s slay, Dipalog said.

He added that witnesses also identified Alzate as the couple’s killer.

Alzate was arrested at a police checkpoint along J.P. Rizal street in Barangay Bagong Silangan while riding a motorcycle driven by Ronald Bolor after he was found carrying a .45 caliber pistol.

Police said Alzate, believed to be a gun-for-hire, was supposed to kill another target at the time of his arrest. Alzate was also reportedly involved in several slay attempts in Abra from 2006 to 2010.