Man invited for questioning in slay of King

CEBU, Philippines - A day after authorities released a facial composite of the suspect in the killing of Cebuano businessman Richard King, the Davao police have reportedly invited a man for questioning.

In a report by ABS-CBN on its news website, Chief Superintendent Reuben Theodore Sindac, head of the information office of the Philippine National Police, was quoted as saying the Davao police invited the suspect for questioning yesterday.

The FREEMAN tried to call Senior Superintendent Vicente Danao Jr., chief of the Davao City Police Office, but he was not available for comment yesterday. He emphasized earlier that it would be difficult to pinpoint someone without strong evidence.

He said their priority is to apprehend the gunman in order to identify the mastermind of the killing.

For its part, the Cebu-based Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-7 said it will continue to coordinate with King’s family for information that may help solve the case.

Superintendent Fermin Armendarez III, CIDG deputy chief, said they will send an investigator to talk to the family. They have also requested for two of their counterparts in Region 10 to help in their investigation here in Cebu.  

King was shot dead by a lone gunman inside Vital- C building in Barangay Obrero, Davao City. A motorcycle was seen waiting for the gunman outside the building, which was used as getaway vehicle.

Meanwhile, King’s remains were laid to rest at the Cebu Memorial Park in Barangay Banilad, Cebu City yesterday morning.

The burial followed a final mass at the St. Peter Memorial Chapel in Imus Road, which was attended by King’s family and relatives, employees reaching up to a hundred, as well as city government officials led by Mayor Michael Rama.

From the funeral parlor, the convoy with the hearse carrying King’s casket made a stop at the Crown Regency Hotel and Towers along Osmeña Boulevard. There, prayers were offered and white pieces of paper were thrown at the hearse, one of the rituals observed in a Chinese funeral.

At CEMPARK, a bottle of King’s favorite drink was poured on his casket before it was lowered to the ground.

A P1.3 million reward has been offered in exchange for information that could lead to the arrest of the suspect. (FREEMAN)