PNP to look into political angle in San Fernando, Cebu mayor ambush

The Philippine National Police is looking into whether the ambush on San Fernando, Cebu Mayor Lakambini Reluya was politically motivated, PNP chief Director General Oscar Albayalde said Wednesday.

“Ang anggulo dito is one is yung pulitika talaga. Although ang sabi ni mayora is belief niya ay politically motivated itong pangyayaring ito. So ito 'yung tinitingnan natin,” Albayalde said in an ambush interview at Kapihan Forum in Manila.

Reluya survived, but her husband and two others were killed in the Tuesday attack.

Albayalde said that he instructed Police Regional Office – Central Visayas Director Chief Superintendent Debold Sinas to provide continuous security for the survivors—Reluya and bodyguards Giovani Perez and Tolentin Jefer—while they are being treated in hospital for gunshot wounds.

“I extend my deepest sympathy to Mayor Reluya for the unfortunate incident that claimed the life of her husband Ricardo Jr., and companions Allan Bayot and Ricky Monterona,” he also said in a statement.

The investigation is being conducted by Special Investigation Task Group with the help of different PNP units.

“I am confident that in due time, we will achieve a breakthrough in our investigation under the same investigative framework that we applied in similar cases of violence against elective government officials,” Albayalde said.

However, according to the PNP chief, investigators have no persons of interest or even a lead yet.

Due to the fact that the election period already started, Albayalde is considering including San Fernando, Cebu on the election watch list.

“But not necessarily under Comelec control, kasi sila lang ang pwedeng mag-decide kung talagang ang area ay under Comelec control o hindi,” Albayalde said at the forum. — BM, GMA News