2 ex-Cagayan town mayors, 2 others gunned down

TUGUEGARAO CITY –– Former mayors Marjorie Salazar and Eduardo Asuten of Lasam town in Cagayan province were killed along with two others during an ambush by unidentified assailants on Monday morning, police said.

Major Pablo Tumbali, Lasam acting police chief, said Salazar and Asuten, both incumbent town councilors of Lasam, and their companions, were on board a white Toyota HiAce when the gunmen fired shots at them in Barangay Ignacio B Jurado around 11: 30 a.m.

The other victims were identified as John Rey Apil, Salazar’s driver, and Aiza Manuel, her secretary.

President Duterte earlier tagged Salazar as one of those allegedly in the narcolist of drug protectors.

Police said the assailants were on board a blue Hyundai Accent and white Toyota Wigo.

The victims died while being taken to a hospital, investigators said.

Police are still investigating the killing. No motive was immediately established.

LZB