Davao City gov’t on top of Ale Cali’s murder case

MANILA, Philippines – The city government of Davao is exerting all efforts to resolve the murder of Filipino fighter Ale Cali. (READ: MMA fighter Ale Cali shot dead in Davao City)

A distinguished figure in the Mindanao mixed martial arts community said that the government has already initiated steps towards solving the murder case.

“CIDG (Criminal Investigation and Detection Group) is currently at it. The mayor (Rodrigo Duterte) is at it as well. We are getting to the bottom of this. Rest assured, Davao and even the Mindanao MMA community will not be sleeping until justice has been served,” said the source, who requested anonymity for security purposes.

The 25-year-old fighter was shot in the head by an unidentified gunman in Ulas, Davao City, at around 10:30 am on Sunday, August 16.

According to an eyewitness account, the victim was shot 3 times by an assailant wearing a helmet, who managed to exit fast towards the Toril area of Davao City on a Honda Wave motorcycle with a temporary plate number.

Cali was alighting from his vehicle when he was approached by the suspect, who then pulled the trigger of an assumed caliber .45 pistol at the back of his head, the same account said.

The police have yet to determine the motive behind the crime.

Cali (5-3) had a stellar run under the Pacific Xtreme Combat (PXC) banner, where he captured the promotion’s flyweight title against Guamanian stalwart Jesse Taitano via a third-round technical knockout in February 2012 before he successfully defended the belt with a third-round stoppage of compatriot Erwin Tagle nine months later.

(READ: PXC mourns Ale Cali’s tragic passing)

The 5-foot-5 native of Davao City relinquished the 125-pound division’s top prize to Louis Smolka in November 2013 by way of first-round technical knockout.

Cali was last seen in action when he was submitted by Ernesto Montilla Jr. with a first-round armbar in March 2014.

“The Young Gun” was slated to have his comeback bout as part of PXC’s fight card in November.

Cali’s remains is due to be interred on Monday, August 17, in Santa Cruz, Davao del Sur. – Rappler.com