3 persons of interest in councilman’s killing identified
Police are looking into three persons of interest in the killing of a former councilman of Barangay Lorega-San Miguel, Cebu City.
The persons of interest were identified based on the statements and facial descriptions of witnesses, said Police Chief Inspector Kenneth Paul Albotra, chief of Parian Police Station.
“Naa na ta'y persons of interest. But we continue gathering evidence and information,” he said.
Glenn Mark Manal, allegedly involved in illegal drugs, was shot dead by an unidentified assailant on Imus Road in Sitio Lumar, Barangay Lorega Wednesday evening.
Manal, 39, just came from the wake of Russ Aquino, a former convict for an illegal drugs case who was also gunned down by unidentified men inside LoregaSan Miguel's public market last week, when the perpetrator shot him.
Albotra said the assailant is possibly a member of a gun-forhire group.
He said the gunman who killed Aquino might be the same person behind the killing of Manal.
"Possible nga ang grupo ra gihapon na namusil ni Aquino mao ra gihapon ni silang grupoha nagpaluyo aning pagpamusil ni Manal," he said.
Police are eyeing drugs and personal grudge as possible motives in the councilman's killing. Manal was included in the watchlist of Parian police for illegal drugs.
Cebu City Police Office Director Senior Superintendent Royina Garma gave a 48-hour ultimatum for Parian police to solve the case, otherwise she will demand an explanation from them.
Albotra said Parian police took the 48-hour ultimatum as a challenge. But he said they need to conduct a thorough and comprehensive investigation.
"Challenge ni siya sa Station 1 ug sa mga investigators, but then we will try to comply kay naa man gud mga proseso sundon sa mga documentation. Nag-request na ta og autopsy but wala pa verification sa motor nga nakuha. Wala pa ta'y concrete evidence nga mao to ang gigamit sa suspect," he said.
As of yesterday, he said they were halfway into their investigation.
A witness to Manal's shooting was able to describe the features of the gunman.
Police, however, are still waiting for the statements of Manal's family.
"Ang pamilya sa pagkakaron kay wala pa sila nihatag og statement or sign of cooperation. Mao na ang challenge sa atong investigation nga unta matabangan ang police sa family sa biktima," Albotra said.
Moradas/KBQ