P1M bounty up for arrest of gunman in Pagadian village exec’s slay

PAGADIAN CITY––Zamboanga del Sur Gov. Victor Yu has offered P1 million in bounty for those who can identify the gunman and other persons responsible for the Aug. 25 killing of a village chief here.

Barangay Tuburan chief Raymundo Albiar was cleaning his vehicle parked on the road near his house when the gunman approached and shot him several times before fleeing towards the direction of Barangay Tiguma aboard a motorcycle.

Albiar suffered gunshot wounds on his body and head that resulted in his immediate death.

Witnesses said the gunman wore a black jacket, black cap, and face mask.

The police’s Scene of the Crime Operation team recovered eleven fired cartridge casings and six slugs of caliber .45 pistol.

Yu said the reward money was from the provincial government.

The governor also requested the police to create a special investigation team to focus on Albiar’s killing.

Lt. Col. Joenery Ojas, city police chief, called on those who could identify the gunman to provide information to help investigators solve the case.

On Saturday, the police released two images caught on CCTV cameras near the crime scene, showing four men aboard two motorcycles. The police said the men were the suspects in Albiar’s killing.

Col. Ruel Lami-ing, Zamboanga del Sur police director, said they also wanted to know if the victim received death threats before the attack.

Albiar is the second village official to be killed in the city. Tiguma village chief Ali Gampong was ambushed in broad daylight while driving home on June 24 this year.

A P500,000-reward offered by Pagadian City Mayor Samuel Co is up for those who can help solve the Gampong case.

lzb