New leads emerge in Deloso, Borja gun attacks

POLICE investigators have already identified persons of interest in the attempt on the lives of Superintendent Michael John Deloso and Barangay 3 councilor Jonathan Borja, while the motives have also been established.

Superintendent Mardy Hortillosa II, spokesperson of the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (Cocpo), said there are two persons of interest in the Deloso ambush including a leader of a long-standing rebel group in the country.

He said police is looking at “job-related” as motive.

Hortillosa said these two persons of interest may have been encountered by Deloso while in the performance of his duty.

“Daghan man gud ni siya nadakpan sa una nga mga dagkong tawo pud unya posible nasuko sa iya. Apil pud ning usa ka leader sa rebel group nga gani public knowledge naman nga siya ang nakadakop sauna,” Hortillosa said.

However, investigators did not discount the possibility that other people have kept a personal grudge against Deloso.

Hortillosa confirmed that Deloso was already transferred from the intensive care unit of the state-run hospital to a private room, still being guarded by the police.

But, he said police has yet to get words and statements from Deloso which are useful in identifying the people behind the shooting incident.

Four persons of interest were identified in the attempt on Borja's life but investigators are looking at personal grudge as motive this time.

“Apil sa ilang business sa farm ug quarry apil na atong gitan-aw,” Hortillosa said.

He said they are assessing the security of Borja as they already deployed policemen to guard him.

However, investigators are still gathering more solid evidences to bring all personalities behind the two gun attacks to justice.