Trader killed over RPA-ABB infighting
Police investigators are looking at the infighting between rival groups in the Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade as the most likely motive behind the killing of a trader in Leon Friday morning.
Provincial police director, Sr. Supt. Ricardo de la Paz told The News Today that Jose Calapardo, a resident of Brgy. Buga, Leon, and a businessman engaged in the buying and selling of agricultural products, shifted sides from Hugo Capilastique alyas Ka Hugo to Carapali Lualhati, the Negros based leader of the RPA-ABB.
De la Cruz said that Calapardo's change in loyalty is so far the strongest motive why two gunmen shot the victim as he was negotiating an uphill portion of Brgy. Nagbangi last Friday.
Police have no identities of the assassins, who shot the victim at close range using short firearms.
Calapardo died on the spot due to five gunshot wounds on the head and chest.
Joseph Escriva, the victim's companion at the time of the incident, was wounded in his right arm and is now in stable condition. He was able to jump out of the vehicle and hide.
De la Paz stressed that they are not discounting other motives, only that the investigation is leaning towards the rift between the two high ranking RPA-ABB leaders.