BUTUAN CITY—Police authorities were zeroing in on politics as possible motive in Saturday's murder of radio broadcaster Jonathan Fetalvero in Bayugan, Agusan del Norte.

Senior Supt. Nestor Fajura, spokesperson of the Caraga regional police office, Tuesday said it appears in the investigation that Fetalvero's death had something to do with his being a member of the village council of Poblacion, Bayugan.

Fetalvero of radio station dxFM Friendster, who was known for his fierce commentaries and tirades against wrongdoings in the government, was shot dead a by lone gunman on Saturday evening while inside a restaurant in Bayugan.

He died instantly from a gunshot wound in the head.

Fajura said the killing was less likely to be part of the attacks against journalists because Fetalvero "did not single out specific persons in his commentaries and tirades."

"Fetalvero tackles issues in generic terms and did not attack a particular person, so the retaliation angle was less likely," Fajura told the INQUIRER.

In justifying the politics motive, he said that Fetalvero was eyeing the town's vice mayoral seat in next year's elections (not as municipal councilor as reported earlier).

But he admitted that Fetalvero also recently figured in a dispute with some businessmen in his village after he supposedly ordered the demolition of their stalls.

"There was this illegal demolition and subsequent dispute with affected owners. We are inclined to believe that the killing was more political and related to his work as councilor than that of violence against the media," Fajura said.

He also announced that the task force formed to fasttrack the investigation on Fetalvero's death had already managed to come up with a police sketch of the assailant based on the account of witnesses.

"The testimonies of the witnesses enable us to come up with a police sketch. We will go after the perpetrator and possible masterminds in the slaying. Justice will be served to the families of Fetalvero." Fajura said.