Raps filed vs NAIA shooting suspects

MANILA, Philippines - The alleged gunman and two other unidentified suspects in the killing of Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur Mayor Ukol Talumpa and three others were charged yesterday with multiple murder and multiple frustrated murder before the Pasay City Prosecutor’s Office.

Chief Superintendent Carmelo Valmoria, National Capital Region police director, said Marox Amlong alias Maroks and the two other suspects remain at large.

Talumpa, his wife Lea, a nephew and an 18-month-old boy from Bacolod City died in the shooting at the arrival area of Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 last Friday.

Chief Inspector Joey Gofort, Pasay City police investigation chief, said former Labangan mayor Wison Nandang has not been removed from the list of suspects as Amlong was identified as one of his security escorts.

A security escort of Talumpa told investigators of having heard the gunman say “mayor, mayor, para kay Kitty Nandang ito,” he added.

Gofort said investigators will unmask the masterminds behind the shooting.

Police still have to gather more evidence to link Nandang to the shooting, he added.

Talumpa’s eldest daughter Rayam Talumpa believes politics and her father’s fight against illegal drugs in Labangan were behind the shooting.

She called for an investigation into why the guns of her father’s escorts were delayed in being released.

Valmoria said police will not stop the investigation into the killing of   Talumpa despite the filing of charges against the suspects.

“In the meantime, we will be closely monitoring the whereabouts of the suspects, so that we can arrest them immediately after a warrant of arrest is issued against them,” he said.

Senior Superintendent Edgar Danao, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) chief in Zamboanga peninsula, said the suspect, alias Marox, is also linked to the grenade attack against Ukol in Pagadian City.

No arrest warrant has been issued against Marox for that attack, he added.

Police are also monitoring the presence of Marox in Mindanao, Danao said. –With Non Alquitran