THE Manila Police District (MPD) is looking at rido, politics and illegal drugs as the possible motives in the recent killing of Talitay, Maguindanao Mayor Abdulwahab Sabal, a police official said on Friday, February 14.
"The MPD is looking at the possibility that habang wala pang clear motive, they are looking at rido or family feud kasi si Mayor Sabal marami itong kalaban doon. Second, we are also checking the political side kasi doon naman highly-politicized 'yung lugar...Lastly, we're also checking if the mayor is involved in illegal drugs," National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Director Debold Sinas said in a press briefing.
“We are looking at rido unless otherwise the family refute us... kasi very colorful din ang background nitong pamilya nito doon sa Mindanao, so we are looking on that possibility, unless otherwise ‘yung family has this different ideal,” he added.
Sabal was also on President Rodrigo Duterte’s illegal drugs watchlist. He was also among those allegedly involved in the 2016 bombing in Davao City.
He was shot dead in front of a hotel in Malate, Manila on Monday, February 10. The MPD has created a Special Investigation Task Group to investigate the killing.
Sinas said investigators were able to obtain CCTV (closed circuit television) footage showing the gunman walking at the opposite side of the road towards the location of the mayor.
The assailant used an M-16 firearm based on the spent shell gathered from the crime scene.
Sinas said police were having a hard time in identifying the assailant and personalities behind the incident. (SunStar Philippines)