Cop linked to ambush-slay of La Union town vice mayor surrenders
CAMP BGEN OSCAR M FLORENDO, San Fernando, La Union – A police officer, who was charged behind the ambush-slay of Balaoan Vice Mayor Al-fred Concepcion last November 14, 2018 surrendered to the authorities on Monday, August 17.
Police Regional Office 1 (PRO 1) Director Brig. Gen. Rodolfo S Azurin Jr. said P/Master Sergeant Dario Naval Cahigas, assigned at the Regional Police Holding Assistance Service of PRO 1, voluntarily surrendered to authorities during the implementation of a warrant of arrest issued against him a Balaoan Regional Trial Court judge.
Cahigas was charged with two counts of murder, and four counts of attempted murder.
Meanwhile, Azurin stressed that he will exert more stringent efforts in probing police officers with criminal and administrative cases in line with the internal cleansing program of the PNP.
“He will undergo judicial proceedings and shall serve the penalty prescribed by the law if proven guilty. We will not tolerate any form of misconduct in the rank and file. We will make sure that the rules will be implemented squarely,” Azurin averred.
Joint personnel of San Fernando Police Station, together with the Regional Intelligence Division and Regional Investigation and Detective Management Division of Police Regional Office 1, facilitated the arrest of Cahigas.
It will be recalled that Concepcion and his escort were killed in an ambush on the convoy of Balaoan Mayor Aleli Concepcion, which was on its way to the municipal hall.
The mayor’s convoy of two vehicles were peppered with bullets as it was traversing Luna Road in Barangay Cabuaan in Balaoan, La Union.
The vice mayor and his escort died on-the-spot, while eight others, including the mayor, were taken to the hospital for treatment of gunshot wounds.
About 100 empty shells of M-16 armalite rifles were recovered from the crime scene.
Meanwhile , Mayor Conception said in her Facebook post: "I hope and pray that Cahigas divulges what he knows about our ambush and reveals the identity of his co-conspirators for his own peace of mind,"