Probers face blank wall

Investigators in the murder of Danao, Jasaan village chief Alfredo Zapanta said politics, personal grudges possible motives

Investigators in the killing of Danao, Jasaan, Misamis Oriental village chief Alfredo Zapanta are facing a blank wall as they move to identify the two gunmen and the mastermind in the Friday, July 13, murder.

Police, however, are looking into politics and personal grudges as possible motives.

Chief Inspector Rogelio Labor Jr., Jasaan town police chief, said the investigation would include the barangay affairs due to reports that there had been no proper turn-over of properties to the slain village official.

Labor said there were reports that the former village chief has unliquidated funds.

Investigators have began interviewing former village officials and the present council members to get their side and shed light on the issue.

Labor said they already ruled out the angle on illegal drugs since Zapanta

was never been involved in illicit drug activities.

Police also dropped the angle related to a social media post which triggered rumors that might have a connection to the killing.

The town’s chief of police said they are also investigating if the suspects were gun-for-hire.

They tried to trace some personalities who have previous murder cases but these turned out negative.

Investigators are gathering all the statements of the witnesses and pieces of evidences that might lead to the identification of the suspects and the mastermind.

Labor said the town mayor already pledge P25,000 while Governor Yevgeny Emano also vowed to get a portion of his peace and order fund to reward informants who can provide leads and information useful to the resolution of the case.

Emano also ordered the creation of a Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) to speed up the probe so justice is swiftly served.