La Union mayor, 2 aides slain in ambush

BANGAR, La Union, Philippines — The mayor of Sudipen town here and his two aides were killed while his wife who is the vice mayor was wounded in an ambush in Barangay Cadapli last night. 

Mayor Alexander Buquing was declared dead on arrival at the Southern Ilocos Sur District Hospital in Tagudin, Ilocos Sur from gunshots to the head and body. His escort Police Officer 2 Rolando Juanbe also died on the way to the hospital.

Baquing’s wife Vice Mayor Wendy Joy and driver Boni Depdepen were rushed to the Lorma Medical Center in San Fernando City for treatment. Depdepen, however, died while undergoing treatment at the hospital.

Chief Inspector Silverio Ordinando Jr., La Union police information officer, said the victims were in a Toyota Hi-Lux on their way home in Barangay Castro, Sudipen when the suspects fired at them with an M-16 rifle.

The assailants fled in a white pick-up, witnesses said.

Police are looking into politics and a dispute in the construction business as motives for the ambush.  

Since the start of the Duterte administration in July 2016 until September this year, 11 mayors and six vice mayors have been killed nationwide.

A number of them were tagged as narco politicians. 

Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr. of Albuera, Leyte was shot dead in his detention cell. Several of his security aides were also gunned down in raids on his houses.

Ozamiz Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog Sr. was killed together with his wife, other relatives and aides in raids on their family homes.