2 ex-mayors slain in Cagayan ambush

SANTIAGO CITY, Isabela, Philippines — Two former municipal mayors, one of them included in President Duterte’s narco list, were killed along with two others in an ambush by unidentified assailants in Lasam, Cagayan yesterday morning.

Former Lasam mayors Marjorie Salazar and Eduardo Asuten were declared dead on arrival at the Lasam District Hospital along with John Rey Apil and Aiza Manuel.

Salazar and Asuten were both incumbent town councilors at the time of their death.

Apil and Manuel were Salazar’s driver and secretary, respectively.

The victims died from multiple gunshot wounds. They were in a Toyota Hi-Ace when the assailants opened fire at them in Barangay Ignacio B. Jurado, according to Maj. Pablo Tumbali, chief of the Lasam police.

The assailants were in a Hyundai Accent and a Toyota Wigo when they waylaid the victims shortly before noon.

Salazar’s vehicle crashed into the wall of the hospital while the assailants sped away.

Probers recovered bullet shells at the crime scene.

Before fleeing, the assailants left a sign marked “sumampa iti NPA” or the NPA strikes again.

In 2016, President Duterte tagged Salazar as among local officials involved in the illegal drug trade.

Salazar’s inclusion in Duterte’s narco list stemmed from the discovery of a shabu laboratory in Lasam when she was mayor.

Salazar denied the allegations including speculation that she was related to the owner of the property where the supposed shabu laboratory was located.