Drugs, political rivalry eyed in mayor’s slay

MANILA, Philippines — Probers are eyeing illegal drugs, political rivalry and rido or family feud as possible motives for the killing of Maguindanao town mayor Abdulwahab Sabal, who is included in President Duterte’s drug list, in an ambush in Manila on Wednesday.

Sabal, mayor of Sultan Sumagka town, was shot dead by unidentified assailants outside a hotel along Quirino Avenue.

He died at the scene from gunshots to the body. 

“We are looking into drugs or politics. His family has a ‘colorful’ background in Mindanao. So we’re also investigating rido as among the possible motives unless the family will refute us,” National Capital Region Police Office chief Maj. Gen. Debold Sinas said yesterday.

Sinas said he ordered Brig. Gen. Bernabe Balba, director of the Manila Police District, to coordinate with the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao police.

Sabal was among the local officials named by President Duterte for alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade when he was still vice mayor.

His elder brother, Vice Mayor Montasir Sabal, was also on the drug watchlist.

Sabal was killed after attending the President’s meeting with local chief executives in Pasay City.