Mayor Aleli Concepcion of Balaoan, La Union asked the police officer who surrendered to authorities in connection with the November 14, 2018 ambush that killed her father to divulge the identity of the mastermind and other conspirators in the crime.
The mayor made the statement after Police Master Sergeant Dario Naval Cahigas, who was charged in connection with the ambush of Balaoan Vice Mayor Alfred Concepcio, surrendered to the authorities on August 17, 2020.
“I hope and pray that Cahigas divulges what he knows about our ambush and reveals the identity of his co-conspirators for his own peace of mind,” the mayor said.
In his report to Philippine National Police chief Police General Archie Francisco F. Gamboa, Northern Luzon regional director Police Brigadier General Rodolfo Azurin Jr. said Cahigas, a PNP member assigned at the Regional Police Holding Assistance Service of Police Regional Office 1, voluntarily surrendered during the execution of warrant of arrest issued by Balaoan Regional Trial Court Branch 3 Presiding Judge Marita Bernales Balloguing.
Cahigas faces two counts of murder and four counts of attempted murder. Mayor Aleli Concepcion was with his father when armed men sprayed bullets on their vehicle on the way to the municipal hall on November 14, 2018. Alfred Concepcion and his aide Mike Ulep died, while Aleli Concepcion and three others were injured during the attack.
Azurin vowed that he will exert more stringent efforts in probing police officers with criminal and administrative cases. He said Cahigas would undergo judicial proceedings and should serve the penalty prescribed by the law if proven guilty.
“We will not tolerate any form of misconduct in the rank and file. We will make sure that the rules will be implemented squarely,” Azurin said.
Joint personnel of San Fernando Police Station together with the Regional Intelligence Division and Regional Investigation and Detective Management Division of Police Regional Office 1 facilitated the surrender of Cahigas who is now under the custody of San Fernando City Police Station for proper disposition.
Mayor Concepcion said the charges filed against Cahigas others came 637 days after the ambush. She said several others who were responsible for the gruesome crime remain at large.
“I reiterate that there is a standing reward of P10 million for anyone who can provide vital and verifiable information as to the identity of the other perpetrators and ultimately, the masterminds behind our ambush,” she said.
“The road to justice is still a long way to go but for my fellow Balaoanians, I will not give up the fight! Daddy paid the ultimate price last November 14, 2018 because he believed that Balaoanians are worth fighting for. I promise that his sacrifice will not be in vain and I will make sure that those responsible will be brought to justice,” she said.