2 suspects in mayor’s killing face charges

CEBU, Philippines — Police have identified two of the four assailants of Buenavista, Bohol Mayor Ronald Lowell Tirol, who was shot dead inside a cockpit arena in his town on Sunday.

Late afternoon yesterday, police filed murder charges against Elmer Melecion alias “Eti” and Egmidio Aparece Jr. alias “Mediong” before the Tagbilaran City Prosecutor’s Office.

Speaking to the local media, Senior Superintendent Angeles Geñorga, director of Bohol Provincial Police Office, identified Melecion as the gunman of Tirol.

He said Tirol’s bodyguard helped recognize Melecion, saying he was allegedly the same person behind the failed assassination of the victim back in 2014.

“May mga witnesses na nag-identify na siya ang isa sa mga suspects sa 2014 na attempted shooting,” Geñorga said.

Geñorga said that after the 2014 incident, the suspect allegedly fled Bohol to “let off some heat” since police were pursuing him.

The suspect has a pending warrant for murder, though it was not clear if he was also involved in other illegal activities.

According to witnesses, the gunman casually sat beside Tirol inside the cockpit at around 3:15 p.m. Sunday before drawing his gun and shooting the mayor at close range shortly after.

Tirol suffered two gunshot wounds to the head.

The gunman and another companion identified as Aparece then boarded motorcycles driven by two other cohorts towards the direction of Getafe town.

Tirol was brought to Dagohoy Hospital in the neighboring town of Inabanga but was declared dead at 4:30 p.m.

Police recovered from the crime scene seven pieces of fired .45 caliber cartridges and one fired .9 mm caliber cartridge.

Police are now eyeing three possible motives behind the incident: personal relationship, business rivalry, and politics.

But Geñorga said investigation is currently leaning towards politics in light of the previous attack against Tirol which was said to have been politically-motivated.

“Ang unang tinitingnan natin ay yung politics based sa nangyari nung 2014 incident. Yun ang unang pinu-pursue,” Geñorga said.

Geñorga admitted they still have a long way to go before considering the case closed. He said a Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) has been formed to expedite the investigation.

He also said that as per case investigator, there could have been five assailants in all.

“Medyo mahaba-haba pa ang investigation. May mga kasama pa kasi na hindi pa natin ma-identify. Aabot siguro sa  five, yung iba ay nag-drive ng getaway vehicle,” he said.

Meanwhile, Police Regional Office-7 Director Chief Superintendent Robert Quenery directed Bohol police to dig deeper into the incident and to conduct manhunt after appropriate charges are filed.

“With the identification of the suspect, they (should) immediately file the appropriate charges and if the warrants are available, conduct a manhunt,” Quenery said. —Michael Ortega Ligalig (FREEMAN)