Police eye personal grudge in "canvasser's" murder

CEBU, Philippines - Homicide investigators are eyeing personal grudge as possible motive in the killing of a “canvasser” who works for a pharmacy near the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center.

Cebu City Police Office Investigation and Detective Management Branch chief Bonifacio Garciano said they were told that Loe “Lupin” Mabitad had an argument recently with a drugstore owner. In fact, the victim allegedly slapped the pharmacy owner in the course of the argument.

Garciano said, aside from being a noted thief, Mabitad is also considered a bully for patients and visitors at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center.

Based on the information gathered by the police, Mabitad is also acting as middleman for people selling their blood to patients that need blood transfusion. His alias was coined after a famous anime character “Lupin III” because of his alleged notoriety.

Garciano said Mabitad had been in and out of jail for charges of theft and other crimes.

Mabitad, nephew of the late Cresistomo ‘Tata Negro’ Llaguno, a known drug lord, was killed the other day by a lone motorcycle-riding gunman in front of the VSMMC. The attack also injured retired Col. Virgilio Noval and Angelina Tapdasan who were hit by a stray bullet.

– (FREEMAN)