Drug angle seen in slay of chief tanod

CEBU, Philippines - Senior Supt. Jesus Gaquing, director of the Cebu Provincial Police Office, yesterday told reporters that he already instructed the chief of police of Balamban town to conduct thorough investigation first on the background of the chief tanod killed last Saturday evening in an ambush in barangay Duangan.

Gaquing said that his men are set to check first the background of Felix Sabalande being chief tanod of Duangan as the attack could be drug-related based on the reports he received. However, he said, he will still have to double check on the information to build strong pieces of evidence and for the assailants to be identified and arrested.

Earlier, It was reported that Sabalande was killed after unidentified assailants in barangay Gaas, which is part of the Transcentral Highway, allegedly ambushed him.

Police said that the victim sustained multiple and fatal gunshot wounds.

Investigation revealed that about four hours before the incident, the victim was instructed by barangay chief Arito Batomalaque to distribute letters to farmers in their area informing them of a meeting scheduled today.

After he distributed the notice, Sabalande reportedly passed by the Transcentral Highway to visit his friend, barangay councilman Vicente Gallo, who invited him to the latter’s house.

After dinner, the victim reportedly headed for home. But a few meters away from the councilman’s house, residents heard several bursts of gunfire. 

Gallo and his visitors rushed out of the house to check and were surprised to find Sabalande’s body sprawled on the roadside on a pool of blood. 

Responding policemen from the Balamban Police Station failed to arrest the perpetrators who fled after the shooting.

  Recovered from the crime scene were an empty shell of a .45 cal. pistol, four empty shells of a carbine, two empty shells of a 9mm pistol and one deformed slug.

PO2 Cesar Climaco said they believe that at least two or three men had carried out the crime. — Gabriel C. Bonjoc/MEEV   (THE FREEMAN)