THE director of the Police Regional Office (PRO)-Central Visayas has ordered a thorough investigation on the ambush-slay of a village official and jail inmates in Talisay City.

Chief Superintendent Debold Sinas has formed a special investigation task group to look into the incidents.

He said the Talisay City police are looking into all possible motives behind the attack on Lagtang barangay councilor Art Stephen Bas, 23. This includes the possibility that it was drug-related.

Bas is the grandson of Talisay City Councilor Arturo Bas and the son of former Lagtang barangay captain Ferdinand Bas, who was reportedly involved in drug trafficking.

The Bas family denied the allegation and said in a press statement that politics may have a hand behind the victim's murder.

In the three inmates' deaths, Sinas said investigators are looking into rivalries between drug groups operating in Talisay City.

The fatalities -- Yayam Gaviola, 40; Marwin Abelgas, 27; and Jovencio Rabadon, 36 -- have pending drug cases in court. They were on their way to a court hearing on board a jail van when the assailants fired upon them.

The gunmen did not harm the two jail officers escorting the inmates.

Sinas said he sent two teams of Special Weapons and Tactics to help secure the Talisay City Jail in Barangay Maghaway.

The investigators, he said, are working closely with Bureau of Jail Management and Penology-Central Visayas officials to solve the case. (KAL/SunStar Cebu)