Gun for hire group suspected to be behind killing of Zamboanga Sibugay town vice mayor

Authorities suspected a gun for hire group was behind the killing of Mabuhay, Zamboanga Sibugay Vice Mayor Restituto Calonge.

According to Police Regional Office IX director Police Brigadier General Ronnie Ylagan on Saturday, the gunman and driver involved in the crime are alleged members of the Anwar Ansang criminal group.

The said group is allegedly involved in gun for hire, piracy, and illegal drugs operations.

Calonge was conversing with municipal engineer Edgar Pampanga, employee Hadji Gapor Abduhari and former Sangguniang Panlalawigan member and retired police officer Gregorio Baya Cenas near the municipal hall in Poblacion when they were approached from behind by a suspect at around 3:05 p.m. Friday.

Calonge and Pampanga were shot to death at close range using a caliber .45 pistol.

Meanwhile, Gapor was rushed to a hospital for medical attention. Cenas had a superficial wound.

The suspect was identified as Er Er Mangoda who escaped aboard a Black XRM motorcycle driven by a Jomar Taiting who has a standing warrant of arrest for murder.

Recovered from the crime scene were seven fired cartridge cases of a caliber .45 pistol and a slug.

Police have launched a hot pursuit operation against the suspects and are investigating the possible motives for the crime.

Authorities are preparing the filing of charges of multiple murder, frustrated murder and attempted murder as of posting time. —KG, GMA News