By Erwin Beleo
BALAOAN, La Union - The La Union provincial prosecutor's office has found probable cause to indict for murder and frustrated murder the suspect in the ambush-slay of Sudipen Mayor Alexander Buquing, his police escort and driver, and the wounding of his wife, Vice Mayor Wendy Joy Buquing in Barangay Cadapli, Bangar, La Union on October 1, 2018.
Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) shows investigation in crime scene where Sudipen Mayor Alexander Buquing, his escort PO2 Rolando Juanbe, and driver Boni Depdepen was killed by armed suspects in Barangay Cadapli, Bangar, La Union Monday night (Oct. 1, 2018). (ERWIN BELEO / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
"All circumstances would lead to a finding of probable cause that Sibayan was one of those who shot then Mayor Buquing, PO2 Rolando Juanbe, driver Bonifacio Depdepen, and wounding then Vice Mayor Wendy Joy. Sibayan should be indicted for murder and frustrated murder with the use of unlicensed firearm," La Union Provincial Prosecutor Danilo Bumacod stated in his 12-page resolution.
Sibayan is currently detained at the La Union Provincial Jail
Sibayan was identified by witnesses as the gunman holding an M-16 rifle while onboard a white pick-up truck during the ambush.
Buquing’s group came from a wake in Barangay Castro in Sudipen when they were attacked.
A witness stated that he saw the white pick-up overtake the vehicle of Mayor Buquing and his group.
The suspects then opened fire at Buquing’s group.
The witness said Sibayan was not wearing a mask to conceal his identity.
Bumacod also stated in his resolution that the M-16 cartridges recovered by investigators from the crime scene matched with the pieces of evidence seized during a raid at the house of Sibayan in barangay Butubot Norte here on Oct. 9, 2018.
“After cross-matching examination, the PNP Crime Laboratory in Region 1issued the result on Oct. 12. The final conclusion was the fired cartridges recovered at the crime scene and the fired cartridge taken from Sibayan were fired from one and the same firearm,” Bumacod said.