Murder case of Isabela mayor still unsolved

MANILA, Philippines – A fourth suspect in the ambush and killing of Isabela Mayor Erlinda Domingo was arrested Friday night, Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas said on Saturday, January 26.

In a press conference, Roxas and Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Alan Purisima announced the police nabbed Marsibal Abduhadi alias “Bagwis,” the alleged gunman.

But Roxas added, “Hindi pa rin natin alam kung siya ba ay pinatay dahil sa negosyo o dahil sa pulitika, o dahil napagtripan lamang siya,” Roxas said. (We still do not know if her killing si related to business or politics, or whether the suspects just took a fancy on her.)

In effect, the case remains unsolved.

Domingo, mayor of Maconacon, Isabela, was killed Tuesday night, January 22, as she was about to board her Mitsubishi Adventure vehicle in her Quezon City apartelle.

The arrest

Quezon City Police Chief Senior Superintendent Richard Albano said Abduhadi was nabbed at the Salaam Compound in Barangay Culiat at around 11:30 pm Friday, January 25. 

Albano said the suspect was arrested during Operation Galugad, a police operation that sought to flush out criminal elements.

“Early yesterday, I received a tip that the gunman was seen inside the Salaam Compound brandishing a sub-machine gun and directed Deputy District Director for Operations Senior Superintendent Neri Ilagan to lead the operation as ground commander; thus the arrest of the gunman who was in a pot session with a Jennifer De Guzman of Old Balara, who was also arrested,” Albano added.

Abduhadi is the 4th suspect to be arrested for the murder of Domingo. Other suspects were Christian Pajenado, Michael Domingo and Mary Grace Malones-Abduhadi.

The suspects are facing charges of murder, frustrated murder, illegal possession of firearms, violation of the gun ban and other drug charges. – Rappler.com