Kin of slain Marawi police chief wants trial of suspects in Manila

CAMP SK PENDATUN, Maguindanao (PNA) – Relatives of the slain Marawi police chief police have asked that his alleged killers be prosecuted in Metro Manila to ensure the safety of witnesses and their families, officials here said .

Witnesses to the murder in October 17 of Supt. Al Abner Wahab Santos, police chief of Marawi City, have also reported expressed fear for their lives and that of their relatives if the prosecution of perpetrators are held in the city.

Santos, was driving his Mitsubishi Montero on his way to his office after attending a command conference with Lanao del Sur police provincial officials when gunmen, on board a separate vehicle, ambushed him at past 3 p.m. He died on the spot.

The Task Force Marawi identified six suspects, two of them police officers who were alleged members of drug syndicates.

Operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) tasked to investigate the murder identified SPO2 Naga Racman Mamacol and SPO1 Salic Macabuat, as among the suspects who killed Santos.

A source from the office of Lanao del Sur Gov. Mamintal Adiong said key witnesses will not cooperate with the prosecution if the case is heard in the local court.

The same source said efforts are now underway to transfer the venue of litigation in Metro Manila.

Relatives refused to confirm nor deny the report but their lawyer have sent a formal letter request to the Department of Justice for the transfer of the case to other areas outside Marawi City.

According to the CIDG, Mamacol and Macabuat, both natives of Marawi City, have links with big time illegal drug distributors in Marawi City. The distribution networks was dismantled by Santos in a string of police operations aimed at ridding the city of illegal drugs.

Since the incident happened in Marawi City, the CIDG has already filed criminal cases against the suspects in a Marawi City court.