Ecija police eye 4 gunmen in former lawmaker's slay

CABANATUAN CITY -- The provincial police are eyeing four gunmen as behind the May 1 murder of former Lanao del Norte Rep. Mario Hisuler.

Superintendent Aurelio Hiteroza, provincial police director, said they already have the names of the four suspects, but refused to reveal their identities pending their arrest.

Hiteroza said the killers of Hisuler, who was gunned down at a cemetery in Jaen, Nueva Ecija during the 40th day of prayers for his slain friend, government corporate counsel Macario Valerio, are not professional guns-for-hire.

"They are emotional rather than professional killers," he said, basing his theory on the rifle and 9 mm. slugs recovered from the crime scene.

The four suspected gunmen were reportedly with Hisuler's group at the time of the killing.

Task Force Hisuler, which Hiteroza created, is now looking into two possible angles for the killing -- accidental shooting or rubout.

An investigator was quoted as saying that they are considering as suspects all persons who were with Hisuler at the time he was shot dead, including his own bodyguards.

Hiteroza said the task force has three weeks to solve the case.

Results of the ballistic and paraffin tests were slated to be released yesterday. The regional police command has ordered the Cabanatuan City police to turn over all evidence to the regional crime laboratory to prevent a possible whitewash.

The Hisuler killing is also being investigated by the National Bureau of Investigation and the Criminal Investigation Service Command.