Slain board member has P1M bounty on head

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines – The slain board member of the fifth district of Negros Occidental has a P1 million bounty on his head.

Barangay Guintubhan Captain Arlita Solista of Isabela town confirmed this Tuesday, June 30, as she revealed there was a threat on the life of Board Member Renato Malabor.

Malabor and his bodyguard, Leody Jomilla, were shot dead outside a cockpit in the said barangay, June 28.

Solista said that texts about the P1 million bounty on Malabor’s head were circulating last month. She said that the board member was told about the threat last May but the latter shrugged it off, saying that he has nothing to fear because he has done nothing wrong.

Solista said that the board member didn’t give it importance, adding that it may be a scam.

She said that Malabor was a good man and a good public servant, “he has scholarship programs. Many of his scholars have graduated because of his help. They’re a good family.”

Malabor’s remains was brought to his hometown Tuesday.

Police identify 5 witnesses

The police have already identified five witnesses, said Senior Supt. Samuel Nacion, officer-in-charge of provincial police. He disclosed that the police are still trying to get the witnesses to cooperate in the investigation.

Nacion said that “we have identified 5 witnesses but not all of them are from the crime scene.”

Nacion assured that the task group are conducting a thorough investigation, “our investigators are on the field to get additional evidence and locate probable witnesses and extract affidavit.”

He said they are investigating all possible angles, which include politics and land dispute.

He said that the killing was well-planned, “the lone triggerman shot them at the back. But I can’t say it’s professional. A professional would always go for the head.”

The provincial government has set P2 million reward for those who have information that can lead to the arrest of the suspect.

Earlier, Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II has ordered the police to thoroughly investigate the case. – Rappler.com