Cops eye politics  in two shootings

CEBU, Philippines —  The Police Regional Office (PRO)-7 is looking at politics as one of the angles in the shooting incidents in Balamban, Cebu and in Buenavista, Bohol involving a barangay and a town councilor, respectively.

However, the PRO-7 has made it clear that it did not close its investigation, saying that it is also possible that the crimes were motivated by personal grudge.

On Thursday afternoon, barangay councilman Anastacio Pacquiao of Cansomoroy, Balamban, who is running for barangay captain, was shot dead.

The police have identified the suspects who were riding-in-tandem and the hot pursuit operation has been conducted.

According to the spokesperson of the PRO-7, Lt. Col. Gerard Ace Pelare, the incident was a “serious matter” since the victim is a candidate in the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections.

“Naa naman tay mga daghang gipanghimo nga intervention prior pa sa election period, threat assessment, naa pud tay intensified campaign against loose firearms and wanted persons but kini nga insidente ang instruction sa atong regional director is to make sure nga madakpan gyud ang mga suspetsado ug ma-file-an og kaso,” said Pelare.

The police still have to consider Balamban as an election watchlist area pending investigation of the incident.

“We can have witnesses, we have pieces of evidence nga magtudlo gyud nga this is politically motivated but right now while usa na sa atong gitan-aw nga motibo dili pa nato i-close ang atong pultahan sa uban pang mga motibo kay aron dili ma mislead ang atong investigators on the ground kay basin og focus kay dihang dapita unya nisakay ra diay ang mga suspetsado sa iyang pagka kandidato,” added Pelare.

Bohol Shooting

Meanwhile, a councilor in Buenavista town in the Province of Bohol was also shot dead by a riding-in-tandem along the national highway in Barangay Cangaawa, Buenavista, Bohol.

The victim was identified by the witnesses as Danilo Añora, a resident of Dait Norte, which is part of the town.

In the investigation of the police, the victim who was riding his XRM motorcycle was returning home from the Buenavista cockpit arena.

The suspects followed the victim and shot him.

The victim was taken to Dagohoy hospital but was declared dead on arrival.

It was found that Dait Norte, Buenavista has been placed in the election area of concern.

One of the angles being looked into is politics but the Bohol provincial police said they will deepen their investigation.

The Bohol Police Provincial Office (BPPO) has strengthened its checkpoint operations and deployed more intelligence operatives. (CEBU NEWS)