Previous work eyed as motive in slay of former police official

CEBU, Philippines — Police are zeroing in on his previous work as the possible motive behind the killing of retired Lt. Col. Renato Malazarte considering that he used to be a high-ranking official of Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO).

Malazarte was former deputy director for administration of CPPO. He was reassigned after the 2016 elections to Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) where he retired in 2017.    

Police Captain Renz Talosig, chief of the Mabolo Police Station, said they are looking into the possibility that the retired police official might have encountered criminals who held grudges against him while he was still in the service.

"Basin sa iyahang pagka-active pa nga pagka-police, naa siya'y mga nadakpan nga illegalista or naa siya'y nakabangga through sa iyang pagpanerbisyo ug mga operations niya. Naay possibility nga naay nasuko niya, naay naglagot niya tungod adtong pagka-operatiba niya," said Talosig.

He added that it is normal for a police official to be in conflict with criminals due to the nature of their work. Talosig, however, said they are not completely abandoning other possible angles, including Malazarte’s business dealings.

Malazarte owns a butane canister refilling station and a restaurant in Cebu City. Talosig admitted that they do not have any person of interest until now. Police investigators are still looking for closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage near the area where Malazarte was gunned down Friday last week in Cabantan Street, Barangay Luz, Cebu City.  

"Nangita og paagi ang atong investigator nga makakuha og CCTV. But unluckily, walay CCTV sa area. So most probably, planned to siya kay wala ta kakita og mga CCTV nga pwede nato makuhaan unta sa lead investigation. Kamao ang nitira niya. As of now, wala pa tay persons of interest," he added.  

Talosig said the family of the victim did not disclose any statement yet as to the possible motive but stressed that Malazarte did not receive any threat prior to the incident.

Initial investigation revealed that the victim was walking toward his vehicle parked outside his residence to deliver butane canisters when the shooting incident happened.

Witnesses said there were two perpetrators onboard a motorcycle without a plate number.—  FPL (FREEMAN)