Gov. Ortega, who was the guest of honor and speaker of the turnover ceremonies of the La Union police provincial command, told police officers and members of regional and provincial police offices, particularly newly-designated provincial director Supt. Franklin Jesus Bucayu, as well as Police Regional Office (PRO) Director Sr. Supt. Alfredo de Vera, to put a stop to political killings in the second district of La Union.

"I have allotted R100,000 for information leading to the arrest of the gunmen and another R200,000 if the actual assassins would provide information leading to the arrest of the mastermind," the Governor said.

Ortega added that Bauang Mayor Clarence Martin de Guzman reportedly raised another R100,000 for information on the perpetrators while Agoo Mayor Eufranio Eriguel also offered R100,000.

Asperin was shot dead in Bauang town on Thursday. The two assassins are at large.

Witnesses, however, have surfaced to positively identify the suspects through an artist sketch of their description matched with police file photos as well as the getaway motorcycle abandoned at barangay Acao in Bauang.

Outgoing La Union police office director Supt. Samuel Diciano was earlier reported to have said that they have established but withheld the identities of the gunmen and the brains behind the slaying until formal charges are filed against them.

Task Force Asperin, led by Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) chief Chief Supt Pedro Tango, was ordered by Director General Arturo Lomibao, chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), to solve the case immediately after he visited the family of Asperin last weekend.

Based on Lomibao’s statement, the Asperin killing is the 15th political killing in the second district of La Union since the 2004 elections.

"The perpetrators are making a challenge. It is just like they are saying ‘catch me if you can’ because they did the dastardly crime in broad daylight," Governor Ortega said as he condemned the slaying.