Delayed police response to Cebu town mayor's slay questioned

The Municipal Council of Ronda, Cebu is planning to file a resolution asking the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to conduct an independent investigation on the killing of Mayor Mariano Blanco III, who was shot inside his own office at the town hall earlier this week.

According to a report on "Balita Pilipinas Ngayon" by Nico Sereno on Thursday, the council questioned the delayed response of police officers at the scene, especially as Ronda police station is right next to the municipal building.

"Oo, pwede maresolusyonan," OIC Mayor Rocky Gabatan told GMA News after meeting with municipal officials.

When asked about what the move indicated in terms of the municipal council's trust in the police force, Gabatan said, "Para mapabilis."

"May tiwala pa din kami sa PNP (Philippine National Police)," the vice mayor added.

Blanco was the 10th mayor killed under the Duterte administration.

He was among the local officials stripped of power over local police after President Rodrigo Duterte linked them to the narcotics trade.

Galbatan, who is set to take over as mayor, said the council has also decided to postpone the opening salvo of the town fiesta. They will wear armbands and white shirts to honor the local chief's death.

Arrest warrant

Blanco was shot inside his office at about 1 a.m. on Wednesday.

According to the police station's chief investigator, Senior Police Officer 1 Dionesio Tagopa, two employees of the municipal hall first reported to the police that four armed suspects entered the municipal building and threatened to shoot them.

"Medyo nakarinig sila na duda nila putok ng armas kasi tinutukan din sila ng baril," he said.

Tagopa also said station personnel were serving a warrant of arrest in another barangay when the killing took place.

When asked about the warrant, the officer said, "Hindi ko matandaan pero basta may naka-blotter before 'yun nangyari, may blotter talaga, kaya 'yung personnel wala dito. Alam pa nga ng dalawang JO na may lakad 'yung mga pulis."

Death threat

On Thursday, it was reported that investigators are looking into politics and a personal grudge as possible motives in his killing.

Town councillor Bhabet Verzosa, who was said to have been with Blanco the day before he was killed, said the mayor made no mention of any threats against him.

"Actually, sir, for the whole day naming pagsasama, wala siyang kwento regarding sa ganyang klaseng incident na nangyari. 'Yung pinag-usapan lang namin ay 'yung tungkol na paparating na fiesta," Verzosa said.

Meanwhile, Cebu Governor Hilario "Junjun" Davide said he had heard from Blanco himself that the latter had received a death threat and feared for his safety.

"He confided to me, a few days afterwards noong nagkita kami na he received also some, not directly sa kanya, somebody told him lang na siya daw 'yung isusunod. Kaya he was really concerned sa kanyang personal safety," said Davide.

Blanco's family has decided not to face the media as of the report. —Margaret Claire Layug/JST, GMA News