Task force created to probe Pagdanganan slay

MANILA, Philippines - Authorities have formed a task force that would look into the slaying of former Calumpit, Bulacan mayor Ramon Pagdanganan, a television report said Tuesday. A report from QTV 11 said Task Force Monching will be headed by Superintendent Arthur Felix Asis. The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in Bulacan said it will prioritize the killing of Pagdanganan, younger brother of former Bulacan governor Roberto Pagdanganan. The elder Pagdanganan is an ally of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Initial investigation showed that the assassination was carried out by professional hired killers, the same television report said. On Sunday night, unidentified gunmen shot dead Pagdanganan during a procession following a fiesta in Calizon village about 8 p.m. Police cited initial reports by witnesses indicating the armed men fled aboard motorcycles immediately after the incident. - GMANews.TV