DAVAO CITY -- After President Benigno Aquino III ordered to solve the murder of Cebu-based businessman Richard King in one month, Police Regional Office (PRO)-Davao Director Wendy Rosario directed members of the Regional Special Investigation Task Group (RSITG) to solve the crime as soon as possible.
"Sabi ko nga sa kanila [task group] as much as possible sana within the month or before one-month we'll able to solve this (murder). Medyo malawak din kasi ang circumstances and sa ngayon marami pa tayong anggulong tinitignan," Rosario said.
Aquino also earlier ordered other law enforcement agencies to assist and work together to solve the murder case.
Rosario said he sent Sta. Ana police commander Superintendent Royina Garma to Metro Manila earlier to gather information from people related to King. Operatives from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)-Davao were also sent to Cebu and Iloilo to do the same.
"I was hoping that we could get information out there na makakatulong sa paglutas ng kaso. Kasi sa mga assessment and assumption ng mga investigators natin dito, medyo lumalabas na ang suspect is not from Davao," Rosario said.
The Davao City Police Office (DCPO) earlier released the cartographic sketch of the suspect believed to be the one who killed the businessman.
Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte also raised the reward to P1.3 million for those who could give any information on the whereabouts of the suspects.
"Hiling ko lang sa public, if sino man ang makakakita sa taong (suspect) ito, please inform the authorities," Rosario said, adding that they have yet to establish whether the gunman and the driver of the motorcycle he used as getaway vehicle are still in Davao area.
King was shot dead last June 12 inside Vital-C Health Products, Inc. building in Barrio Obrero, Davao City.
King was the chair and chief executive officer of the J. King & Sons Co. Inc., developer of Crown Regency, Club Ultima and the City Suites Ramos Tower. He was also the founder and director of Boracay Multiple Properties Inc.
The task group in Davao City is also looking into personal grudge and jealousy as possible motive of the crime aside from business rivalry. (Sun.Star Davao)