The bullet-ridden pick-up truck that Mayor Alexander Buquing was shot in along with his wife, driver and security escort on October 1, 2018.
QUEZON CITY, Philippines – The Philippine National Police (PNP) has formed a special investigation task force (SITG) who will focus on the case of slain Mayor Alexander Buquing of Sudipen, La Union.
Buquing is the 11th Mayor slain under the Duterte administration.
PNP Spokesperson PCSupt. Benigno Durana said 10 of the said cases have been solved and closed except for the assassination of Tanuan City Mayor Antonio Halili.
Meanwhile, Durana also noted that all six slay cases involving local vice mayors were also solved, including the recent case involving the murder of Trece Martires Vice Mayor Alexander Lubigan.
“Out of the recent killings of the mayors halos lahat ay na solved na ng Philippine National Police. Nagpapasalamat tayo sa Dios at sa kasipagan ng kapulisan at na solved nila pati ang sa vice mayor ng Trece Martires; from the mastermind to the assailant,” Durana said in a press briefing on Tuesday, October 2.
Durana noted that there is an existing National Investigation Task Group led by PDir. Elmo Francis Sarona that deals with each of the slay cases against local executives.
The PNP spokesperson said the PNP is ready should there be more attempts against local officials especially that the 2019 election is drawing near.
“If we study all the election, after the election mayroon talagang spike. Kaya nagpalabas ng direktiba si Chief PNP to run after the guns for hire at mga private armed groups to preempt or to prevent the spike of killings of the chief executives,” Durana said.
Meanwhile, the PNP sent a team of public safety personnel to the hospital where vice mayor Wendy Buquing is confined for her security.
“Mayroong enhance sa protective security dahil sa meron nang banta sa kanyang buhay dahil sa sya ay remaining victim at possible witness doon so definitely ang adequate security ay ibibigay ng PRO1,” Durana concluded. – Marje Pelayo (with reports from Lea Ylagan)
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