A former mayor and vice mayor who are incumbent councilors of a municipality were killed in an ambush that also resulted in the death of two other local officials Monday (Feb. 15).
The victims were identified as former Lasam, Cagayan mayor Marjorie Salazar, her former vice mayor Eduardo Asuten, 67, Salazar’s driver John Rey Apil, 24 and the ex-mayor’s secretary Aiza Manuel, 31.
According to incident’s investigator PSSgt. Jomar C. Arnedo, the victims were on board a Toyota Hi Ace van which was traversing Brgy. Ignacio Jurado 11:30 a.m. when they were peppered with bullets by unidentified armed men who were aboard two cars, a blue Hyundai Accent and a white Toyota Wigo.
Around 200 empty shells, said to be coming from long firearms, were recovered from the scene of the crime, the motive of which is still unknown.