Aparri vice mayor, 5 others killed in Nueva Vizcaya ambush

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 19) — The vice mayor of Aparri in Cagayan province was among the six people killed in an ambush in Bagabag, Nueva Vizcaya, the police confirmed on Sunday.

Vice Mayor Rommel Alameda and his five companions were in a black Hyundai Starex when a group of six masked individuals in police uniforms gunned them down, the Nueva Vizcaya Provincial Police Office (PPO) reported.

The suspects were aboard a white Mitsubishi Adventure, according to Bagabag police's initial report provided by the Nueva Vizcaya PPO.

Police also identified two of the other victims as Alvin Abel and Alexander delos Angeles.

The ambush took place at 8:45 a.m. in Sitio Kinacao, Barangay Baretbet on Sunday, Feb. 19, police said.

Based on the initial report, the suspects blocked the highway in front of the MV Duque Elementary School using a barricade taken from the school.

When the van approached the barricade, the suspects opened fire with long and short firearms. After the shooting, the suspects took the firearms from inside the victims' vehicle, the police report said.

According to the police, the suspects escaped in the direction of Solano town, adding that units were immediately dispatched to conduct pursuit operations and set up checkpoints in the area.

The report added that scene of the crime operatives were requested to process the crime scene.

No further information was provided as to the possible motive behind the ambush.

This is a developing story.