'Agaw armas' suspected motive in murder of barangay councilor, companion

KIDAPAWAN CITY, Philippines - The newly-elected barangay councilor and a volunteer village watchman killed in Friday’s ambush at Barangay Malinan here lost two assault rifles and two handguns to their attackers, police said.

Supt. Leo Ajero, chief of the Kidapawan City police, said investigators are now certain it was the victims’ M1 caliber 30 Garand, an M-14 rifle, a .38 revolver, and a Colt .45 pistol that the suspects were interested in.

The victims, Barangay Malinan councilman Ronaldo Macrohon and his companion, Edward Quinio, were on their way to the barangay proper riding a motorcycle together when unidentified gunmen flagged them down and opened fire.

Macrohon was killed on the spot while the badly wounded Quinio, who was rushed to a hospital by responding barangay officials, died while undergoing medication.

“The ambushers collected their firearms before they escaped and left the victims sprawled on the road,” Ajero said.

Macrohon was a long-time member of Barangay Malinan’s volunteer community defense group. He was elected barangay councilor during the October 28 polls.

“It seems the ambush has nothing to do with his having been elected as barangay councilor,” Ajero said.
  
Ajero said they now have a clue on the identities of the ambushers, but declined to reveal names pending completion of investigation.

“We’re pretty sure now that this ambush incident was an `agaw armas’ case because all of their firearms were carted away by the suspects,” Ajero said.