Cagayan town police chief sacked after ambush that killed 4

TUGUEGARAO CITY—The chief of police in Lasam town, Cagayan province was removed from his post a week after two town councilors and their aides were killed in an ambush.

Capt. Pablo Tumbali was removed for his failure to maintain peace and order in the town and for command responsibility, said Col. Ariel Quilang, Cagayan police director, on Thursday (Feb. 25).

Tumbali was replaced by Maj. Rey Viernes, who was formerly the chief of police of Baggao town, on Wednesday (Feb. 24).

A special task group is investigating the killing of councilors Marjorie Salazar and Eduardo Asuten, who were both former Lasam mayors, and their two aides identified as John Rey Apil and Aiza Manuel.

The four victims had just come from the Lasam municipal hall when they were waylaid by unidentified assailants on board two cars on Feb. 15.

Salazar was on President Rodrigo Duterte’s list of narco-politicians in 2016 and 2019.

Revenge, drug links, robbery and an attack by New People’s Army are among motives being investigated by the police.

TSB