Police eye drugs, politics behind councilman’s slay

Police are eyeing drugs and politics as possible motives in the killing of Kalunasan Barangay Councilman Roel Mabano, 41, who was shot by an unidentified assailants in front of the barangay hall last Tuesday afternoon.

Police Regional Office (PRO)-7 Director Debold Sinas said it could be politics because a report surfaced that there was an intense political rivalry prior to his win.

He added that the Guadalupe Police Station informed him that they will be forming a Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) along with the Scene of the Crime Operations to focus investigating on whose behind the attack.

“According to the investigator, political is seen as a possible motive because he was associated with an intense rivalry,” Sinas said.

He could not confirm though if Mabano was indeed part of the President Rodrigo Duterte's list of narco-cops who are involved in illegal drugs.

Meanwhile, Cebu City Police Office Director Royina Garma said they are also looking at illegal drugs as a motive.

Not because they have confirmed his alleged involvement in illegal drugs but because of the drug cases he may have handled back when he was assigned in PRO-7.

He was transferred at the Cordillera Police Regional Office days after Duterte assumed office.

Garma also said that he took the optional retirement rather than compulsory at the age of 56, after Mabano was able to serve for 20 years in police service.

“Yung sa nakita na angle na tinitingnan din is yung possible involvement niya sa illegal drugs. He was reassigned when the president assumed post. He used to be a member of the anti-illegal drug team in Central Visayas. Possible drugs, possible may cases na-handle, lahat possible kaya may investigation,” Garma said.