Doctor, wife shot dead by motorcycle-riding men in La Union

Photo from https://lorma.edu/

MANILA, Philippines—A doctor and his wife were killed after they were shot by motorcycle-riding men Wednesday evening in La Union, police said Thursday.

Police Officer 3 Christopher Nuesca of Bauang police station, identified the victims as Dr. Mario and Viana Valera, who were attacked by the gunmen in Barangay (village) Acao in Bauang, La Union around 7:40 p.m.

He said the couple were on a Mitsubishi Montero when the assailants drove near their vehicle and opened fire, hitting the Valeras in different parts of the bodies.

Chief Inspector Reynaldo Lizardo, Bauang police chief, said seven empty shells from a .38 pistol were recovered from the crime scene.

The victims were rushed to the Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center, but were declared dead on arrival by their attending physician.

Nuesca said authorities have yet to determine the motive of the attack, as well as the identities of the killers, adding that the case will be fully investigated.