Government employee tagged in shooting of contractor

POLICE have identified one of the suspects who shot a building contractor on the corner of Country Homes Avenue and Cecilia Heights Road in Cabantian, Davao City on Friday.

Chief Inspector Alfredo Baluran, chief of the Buhangin Police Station, identified the suspect as Juantio Dumalag Jr. alias Jerem, local government unit (LGU) employee, and a resident of Ciudad de Esperenza in Buhangin.

Baluran said they were able to identify the suspect after the victim, Charlie Moril Adlao, wrote them a letter that his brother-in-law was the one who tried to kill him on June 1.

"The victim, who is in critical condition, has slowly recovered though he could not yet talk due to an injury in his mouth, at least he can now write his statements on a paper," Baluran said.

Adlao said a family grudge over the construction business is the motive of the slay attempt.

Initial investigation showed the victim was driving his multicab when Dumalag along with other two men onboard a motorcycle appeared behind and allegedly shot him.

The victim lost control of the multicab and rammed onto the house. The suspects fled to Communal area while Adlao was brought to Davao Doctors Hospital.

Recovered from the crime scene was one empty shell of caliber .45 pistol. (ICT)