TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte – Police authorities said they have started looking into the possible involvement of communist rebels in Wednesday’s killing here of the former chief of police of Maragusan, Compostela Valley.
Chief Insp. Andrea dela Cerna, spokesperson of the Southern Mindanao police office, told the Philippine Daily Inquirer by phone, on Thursday, that the police have not discounted the involvement of New People’s Army (NPA) rebels especially in the wake of reports the rebels had set loose hit men to target soldiers and police officers in the region.
Dela Cerna said prior to the murder of former Chief Insp. Jer Igtanloc Jr., the victim had already reported an NPA liquidation plot after another retired police officer was killed in Maragusan.
“But he (Igtanloc) did not say if he was included in the supposed NPA hit list,” she said.
Igtanloc had just dropped off his daughter at her school here and was on his way home when shot dead.
Investigators said the gunmen tailed the victim as he was driving from the Magugpo Pilot Imelda Elementary School in Sobrecarey Street. The backrider of the tailing TMX motorcycle without plate numbers fired several times using a cal. 45 pistol at the victim who fell to the pavement.
“The assailants even drove closer to the fallen police official and fired at him again several times before speeding away,” Dela Cerna said.
Insp. Anjanette Tirador, the spokesperson of the city police office, said at least 13 casings for .45-caliber pistol had been recovered from the scene of the crime.
“Footages taken by CCTV cameras of establishments near the crime scene are being extracted and studied by investigators for possible leads,” Tirador said.
Following the killing, Chief Supt. Wendy Rosario, the Southern Mindanao police director, ordered police units in the region to be on full alert.
“We also advised our police to be vigilant and take extra care, specifically ensuring their safety in public places,” Dela Cerna said.
She said the special investigation task force formed to look into Igtanloc’s killing has expanded its investigation to determine if rebels were involved in the police officer’s killing. SFM