Saturday, July 07, 2007 Sumalpong's killer identified, says police official By Bong Garcia
POLICE in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Armm) have already established the identity of the gunman responsible for the killing of a government-owned radio station broadcaster in Tawi-Tawi.
Tawi-Tawi Police Provincial Director Emlani Anni disclosed that the gunman is a native of Bongao, the capital town of Tawi-Tawi Province.
However, Anni refused to reveal the identity of the gunman except say that the suspect is possibly a hired killer.
Bongao Mayor Albert Que earlier disclosed that the gunman has long hair and aged between 20 and 27.
Vicente Sumalpong, 36, the production supervisor of dxDC Radyo ng Bayan-Tawi-Tawi, died from multiple gunshot wounds when he and two others were ambushed last week in Barangay Nalil, Bongao.
Sumalpong's co-worker Vema Antham, 40, and nephew, Roilan Borja, who were with him during the shooting, were wounded.
Anni said manhunt operations continue for the gunman responsible.
He disclosed they are now focusing on the possibility that Sumalpong's killing was related to conflict in work.
Earlier, Armm Police Director Joel Goltiao disclosed there is an existing power struggle between employees at the government-owned radio station in Bongao.
