Suspects in Sibugay vice mayor’s slay identified

MANILA, Philippines — Two members of a gun-for-hire group have been tagged as suspects in the killing of Vice Mayor Restituto Calonge of Mabuhay,
Zamboanga Sibugay and his companion on Friday.

Police said Er Mangoda, the alleged gunman, and his cohort Jomar Taiting are members of the Anwar Ansang gang, which is involved in contract killings,
piracy and illegal drugs.

Witnesses said Calonge and his companions were in front of the municipal hall in Barangay Poblacion at around 3:05 p.m. when Mangoda arrived and shot the victims several times.

The vice mayor and municipal engineer Edgar Pampanga died at the scene. Former councilor Gregorio Cenas and Hadji Gapor Abduhari were wounded.

Mangoda reportedly fled on a motorcycle driven by Taiting.

Probers recovered seven bullet casings and a slug for a .45-caliber pistol at the scene.

An investigation into the killing is ongoing.