By SHERWIN DE VERA
www.nordis.net

BAGUIO CITY (Updated February 20, 7:22 AM) — Assailants dressed in police uniforms killed six individuals in Bagabag, Nueva Vizcaya, including the vice mayor of Aparri town in Cagayan.

According to police reports, at least six men wearing “pixelized PNP uniform with mask” ambushed Vice Mayor Rommel Alameda and company in Sitio Kinacao, Barangay Baretbet. The group was on their Manila onboard a black Hyundai Starex when the assailants waylaid them using the school barricade of MV Duqeu Elementary School.

The suspects flee using a white Mitsubishi Adventure with a red plate number SFN 713.

According to the Aparri Public Information Office, Alameda was supposed to attend the Vice Mayor’s League Convention tomorrow, February 20.

Also killed in the ambush were John Duane Alameda, Abraham Ramos Jr, Ismael Nanay Sr, Alexander Delos Angeles, and Alvin Abel.

In a press release, Police Regional Office 2 said the suspects are not members of the police force.

Acting Regional Director PBGen. Percival Rumbaoa has ordered hot pursuit operation against the suspects. The Nueva Vizcaya Police Provincial Office has also set up a Special Investigation Task Group to lead the investigation of the killing.

Rumbaoa promised no let-up in their hunt for the persons responsible for the attack. He also appealed for public support and assistance for the immediate resolution of the case.

Call for justice

In separate statements, the Vice Mayors League of the Philippines (VMLP)-Cagayan Chapter and the Union of Local Authorities of the Philipines (ULAP) condemned the killing and justice for the victims.

“We are shocked and saddened that one of our officers has been added to the number of fallen victims to senseless killings,” VMLP said.

They described the mayor as “a kind person who has passion and commitment to serve his constituents.”

“We join with their families in praying that justice will be served. We call on the law enforcement authorities to make a swift action to bring to justice the perpetrators of this dastardly act and to exert all efforts to put a stop to this kind of killing,” the statement said.

ULAP, the umbrella organization of local government units and officials leagues in the country, called the attack “a sobering call for vigilance and a cry for restoring peace and order.”

“We demand swift and immediate justice to assure our people that the law is able to protect them and to show criminals that the law will quickly subdue them. The people must not cower in fear or be inured to these crimes and criminals must not be invincible,” ULAP said.

The group added that the attack further motivated their ranks in pursuing steps against criminality and lawlessness to ensure the people’s safety and security. # nordis.net