Manhunt for mayor’s killer shifts to Mindanao

MANILA, Philippines - The manhunt for the killer of Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur Mayor Ukol Talumpa has moved to Mindanao.

An asset told Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) Ukol the gunman known as Marox fled to Mindanao on Christmas Day.

“The police asset claimed Marox traveled by land to avoid being detected in airports and seaports,” said a police official requesting anonymity.

The STAR source said they have already coordinated with police in Zamboanga del Sur to join SITG Ukol in the manhunt for Marox.

Senior Superintendent Edgar Danao, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) chief in Zamboanga peninsula, said he had sent intelligence agents to Labangan, but that he doubts Marox would go there as he is well known in the town.

“He could be easily identified in Labangan as he is very famous in the town,” he said.

“He cannot hide there as somebody would report his presence to police authorities.” 

Danao said Marox would most likely disembark in the ports of Misamis, Cotabato and Marawi City.

CIDG personnel would be sent to monitor these ports, he added.

Director General Arturo Cacdac Jr. said the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) is ready to help investigate the murder of Talumpa.

“We will help the SITG,” he said.

Reports said Talumpa could have been killed because of his intensive campaign against illegal drugs.

Three security escorts of Talumpa, his surviving relatives and other passengers have identified Marox  as the gunman.

Killed with Talumpa in the shooting at Ninoy Aquino International Airport terminal 3 last Dec. 20 were his wife Lea; his nephew Saripudon, and 18-month-old Gil Thomas Estuesta Lirazan, who had just arrived from Bacolod City with his parents.

Five other people were hurt.

Records showed two previous attempts were made on Talumpa’s life.

In September last year, Talumpa, then vice mayor, was the target of a grenade attack in Pagadian City.

He and his wife survived the attack, but a security officer was hurt.

Marox is also a suspect in the grenade attack, but no arrest warrant has been issued against him, Danao said.

In 2010, Talumpa was wounded along with his nephew Alimodin Silad in a shooting in Manila.

They were traveling in a car when they were shot. – With Cecille Suerte Felipe