Cop in La Union shootout dies in hospital

One of two police officers, who were wounded in a shootout with armed men shortly after the murder of Balaoan Vice Mayor Al-Fred Concepcion on Nov. 14, died while undergoing treatment at a hospital on Sunday.

The identity of the police officer was not released to reporters.

He and another police officer were wounded in San Juan town, about an hour after the attack that killed Concepcion and wounded his daughter, Balaoan Mayor Aleli Concepcion.

The attack also killed the vice mayor’s aide, Michael Ulep, and wounded eight other people, including two bystanders caught in the crossfire.

Chief Insp. Silverio Ordinado, La Union police spokesperson, said the police officer who died had been in the intensive care unit of a hospital since Nov. 14.

‘Well-organized assault’

The La Union police said the wounded officers fought with a group that fired at the vehicles of the Concepcions while they were on their way to the municipal hall.

The police had not identified any person or persons of interest in the attack.

They said investigators would need to establish how many gunmen took part in the ambush.

But an investigation task force had taken the testimonies of survivors that may shed light on what police had described as a “well-organized assault,” Ordinado said.

On Saturday, Mayor Concepcion described the attack as an act of sabotage to destroy “the gains of our administration in ensuring peace and order, decent work, job security and prosperous life.” —Gabriel Cardinoza