Cops: Unlikely that NPA murdered King

CEBU, Philippines - Davao City Police Office director Senior  Superintendent  Vicente  Danao, Jr. said they are eyeing several possible suspects in the murder of Cebuano businessman Richard King, this as they put less attention to the possibility that the New People’s Army is behind King’s murder.

It was earlier reported that rebels may have asked for revolutionary  tax from King, but the businessman may have refused, prompting them to kill him.

“Usually kasi kapag NPA ang pumatay, in-a-acknowledge iyan nila pagkatapos,” Danao said.

The police chief said they are now considering some suspects, but they need to establish the motive first before they can actually identify them.

He said that by Monday they will already release the facial composite of the assailant, who was earlier described as 5’5” tall and of medium build.

“Hindi muna naming iri-release ngayon kasi andito pa tayo sa period na pwede pa natin siyang hulihin. We don’t want to pre-empt baka mahalata niya na siya na ang hina-hunt down namin,” added Danao.

The police chief said they have recovered King’s cellular phone, but this did not contain valuable information that can help their investigation.

Danao admitted that they are having a hard time identifying the suspects especially as King is from Cebu. Right now, he said they are coordinating with police here for additional information.

King was shot dead in close range by a lone gunman Thursday night in Barangay Obrero inside the Vital-C building in Davao City. He died on the spot after sustaining a gunshot wound on his head.

The number one motive being eyed in the murder is still business rivalry, Danao said.

“Baka may naapakan siyang tao at galit sa kanya. May mga reports kaming na-receive na diyan sa Cebu, marami siyang kaaway, may napagalitan siya, mostly related sa business,” Danao said.

Danao said they are also eyeing two other angles in King’s killing; personal grudge and third party.

Visionary

The management and staff of J. King and Sons Co., Inc. owned by King deeply mourned the loss of a beloved “visionary.”

 â€œUnder his inspired and innovative leadership, J. King and Sons Co., Inc., which include the Crown Regency chain of hotels, flourished and earned its respectable niche in the tourism industry,” said Crown Regency Hotels-Resorts through social media.

The company management further said that King’s siblings and corporate management team will continue all the operations of J. King and Sons Co., Inc. and its affiliate companies.

They appealed everyone to wait for the result of the investigation and to “refrain from hurling malicious lies and accusations about Richard King.”

“We are one with the family and friends of Richard King during this most difficult time, and urge the authorities to bring to justice the perpetrators of this heinous crime,” the statement read.

Security

Meanwhile, the Cebu City police has detailed uniformed personnel and covert operatives to the wake King in a funeral parlor at Imus Street. Superintendent Romeo Santander, City Intelligence Branch chief, said CCPO has been tasked to protect the family of the hotel owner.

He said that because the incident happened in Davao City a task force could not be formed in Cebu City, but his office will still gathering whatever evidence they find and share it with Davao police. — with Bryner L. Diaz/BRP (FREEMAN)