Misamis councilor killed in ambush

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines – Police have launched a manhunt for two men suspected of killing a municipal councilor of Misamis Oriental Thursday afternoon.

Opol Councilor Cecelio Abuhan was riding his motorcycle on his way home to Barangay Balokbok when he was shot by assailants armed with a .45 caliber pistol and a 9mm pistol.

He died at the scene from bullet wounds in the head, neck, torso and leg.

Opol police chief Senior Inspector Alwin Baclao said they are looking into at least three possible motives – death threats from the New People’s Army (NPA), personal grievances in mining, and politics— as possible motives for the killing.

He said they received information that Baclao was among the targets of a liquidation squad of the NPA.

Mayor Maximino Seno vowed to solve the killing even as he asked his constituents to remain calm.