Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Bounty increased for arrest of N. Cotabato killers
KIDAPAWAN Mayor Rodolfo Gantuangco offered another P100,000 for informants who could help in the arrest of those behind the killing of George and Maricel Vigo on Monday last week.
The Vigos, who worked as part time commentators in a local radio station in Kidapawan City, were gunned down by still unidentified gunmen while on their way home.
Newly assigned Police Regional Office director for Soccsksargen German Doria earlier said members of the New People's Army (NPA) were behind the murder of the Vigo couple.
Doria added that the cartographic sketch of the suspect matched with the identity of an NPA member under the CPP-NPA Front Committee 71 whose profile was included in the Central Mindanao Police's record of hit men and guns-for-hire.
Doria tagged Dionisio Madanggit as one of the alleged assailants.
Madanggit has a pending arrest warrant for the 2004 murder of a barangay councilman, the police officer added.
"He belongs to the sparrow unit of the NPA," Doria said.
Doria added that the suspect killed Vigo on suspicion that he was the one who tipped off the military regarding the whereabouts of commander Benjie, leader of CPP-NPA Front 51 in Cotabato.
He said Benjie was killed along with two other companions after holding a secret press conference in Makilala town during the military assault.
"The suspect believed it was George Vigo who informed the military about the whereabouts of commander Benjie. So it appears now that the motive was retaliation and the killing was not media-related," Doria said.
The police regional director accompanied Philippine National Police Chief Arturo Lomibao during a visit Thursday morning at the residence of the victims in Kidapawan City.
Lomibao landed in Davao City airport past 6:00 a.m. then boarded on a chopper going to Kidapawan City, where he was briefed by Task Force Vigo on the progress of the case.
Earlier, North Cotabato Governor Emmanuel Piñol dangled a P50,000 reward for individuals who could give information leading to the capture of the suspects.
"Informants can approach me anytime of the day or night even at home so we can give justice to the death of the victims," Gantuangco said. (With reports from Aquiles Zonio)
For Bisaya stories from General Santos.Click here. (This section is updated every Monday)
(June 26, 2006 issue)
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