THE police are looking into the alleged involvement of two murdered men in Barangay Camp 8, Toledo City in illegal activities as the motive behind their killing.

Supt. Randy Korret, the city police chief, said they received reports that Juniel Abatayo, 29, and Abelardo Salomag, 44, were involved in stealing motorcycles and in the illegal drug trade in Talisay City and Lapu-Lapu City.

Police Regional Office 7 Director Debold Sinas said the police were not involved in the murders and he ordered Korret to investigate the two deaths.

Talisay City Police Deputy Chief Ardiolito Cabagnot said the men were based in Barangay Tabunok. Abatayo reportedly stole motorcycles, while Salomag chopped them and sold the parts.

Early this week, the men were arrested for stealing a motorcycle in Lapu-Lapu City. The vehicle, which has a tracking device, was located in Tabunok.

Abatayo and Salomag were released from detention last Wednesday after reaching a settlement with the motorcycle owner.

Both men succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds in their heads and other parts of their bodies. Six empty shells of .45 and .9mm pistols were recovered from the crime scene.

The bodies of Abatayo and Salomag were found by a resident in Sitio Cambay, Camp 8 past 6 a.m. (KAL)