Manhunt widens on death of political leader
A local political leader of a mayoralty bet in San Dionisio, Iloilo was murdered Sunday in what is feared to be a case of political killing here.
The victim was identified by police as one Armando Agsalona of Barangay Guzman who has since openly led the campaign of mayoralty candidate Gregoria “Goyang” Baterna and Vice Mayoralty candidate Peter Paul Lopez.
Authorities launched a massive manhunt however no suspects were named as of yet.
Supporters of Baterna appealed for media’s attention if only to achieve a speedy investigation amidst fears of more killings and violence here.
Senior Superintendent Melvin Mongcal, Iloilo Provincial Police Office Director in a text message to The News Today (TNT) refused to qualify though Agsalona’s death as politically-related at the moment. This, he explained will be ascertained once he gets word from police probers sent to verify the circumstances leading to the victim’s death.
“I’m still waiting for the validation of my investigators from the crime scene” Senior Supt. Mongcal’s message went.
“Gapangayo gid kami sang bulig sang media kay amo lang ini ang paagi agud mapadasig ang imbestigasyon (We are seeking the media’s help because this is the only way to hasten the investigation),” a male supporter of Baterna said in a Bombo Radyo interview yesterday.
Baterna is running against re-electionist Mayor Pio Villanueva while Lopez is running against three other contenders, Anacleto Billones, Ernesto Canon and Andres Palma.
Both mayoralty bets belong to the administration.
However, in a later text message, Mongcal said Agsaluna's killing was not politically-motivated.