Police checking rido, political feud, illegal drugs as motives in slay of Talitay mayor

Investigators are looking at three possible motives in the slay of Sultan Sumagka (Talitay), Maguindanao mayor Abdulwahab Sabal, according to National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Police Major General Debold Sinas on Friday.

At a press briefing, Sinas said police are looking at rido or family feud, political rivalry, and illegal drugs as possible motives of the crime.

"The MPD is looking at the possibility that habang wala pang clear motive, they are looking at rido or family feud kasi si Mayor Sabal marami itong kalaban doon. Second, we are also checking the political side kasi doon naman highly-politicized 'yung lugar," Sinas said.

"Lastly, we're also checking if the mayor is involved in illegal drugs," he added.

Sabal was shot dead in front of a hotel along Quirino Avenue in Malate last Monday night.

An initial investigation said a sniper could have shot the mayor. Police recovered a slug of an M16 rifle at the crime scene.

According to Metro Manila's top cop, the Manila Police District already established a special investigation task group to probe the incident.

"They are now organizing the SITG Sabal to have a focused investigation," Sinas said.

Sinas said investigators are also checking the CCTV footage in the area where the incident happened.

"We have also secured the CCTV doon, pinagaralan and kinompare, ang nakita natin naka-helmet ang bumaril atsaka galing sa kabilang kalsada based sa CCTV footage," Sinas said.

At present, Sinas said police have no persons of interest yet on the incident. — RSJ, GMA News