Police investigators are eyeing envy in the workplace as a possible motive in the recent shooting of a group of construction workers in Barangay Udalo, Piagapo town in Lanao del Sur that killed two persons and wounded two others.
In an interview Thursday, Lt. Jamilluden Samo, Piagapo police chief, said the suspect, who was identified by witnesses, had applied as security personnel with the construction company contracted to build a bridge in the area.
He declined to name the suspect pending an ongoing police pursuit operation.
“Maybe he is angry that he was not accepted for the job,” Samo said in a phone interview.
Police are also investigating if the victims and the suspect, who fled after the shooting, have personal grudges.
Initial police investigation showed that around 6 p.m. Monday, the 19-year-old male suspect, a resident in the area suddenly appeared and indiscriminately fired on the victims who were taking a break from work.
Police identified the slain victims as Victor Valleos, 47, and Luke Daco, 20, while those wounded as Johnie Salazar, 19, and Isagani Pangaan, 18, all of Barangay Tubod.
Police recovered empty shells from a .45-caliber pistol at the crime scene.
The cadavers have been brought to their families while the wounded victims are confined at a hospital here.
Samo said double murder and attempted murder cases have been prepared against the suspect.
Police have recommended the temporary stoppage of work at the construction site for the protection of other construction workers.
‘Rido’ settlement
Meanwhile, firearms were seized by the troops of the Joint Task Force ZamPeLan (Zamboanga Peninsula and Lanao provinces) in Pagayawan, Lanao del Sur during a “rido,” or family feud settlement between two warring clans, on January 8.
Lt. Gen. Alfredo Rosario, Jr., commander of Western Mindanao Command, said while facilitating the dialogue regarding the dispute between the family of Rachma Benito Zacaria, chairperson of Barangay Bangon, and Hadji Daud Marohom, a Muslim spiritual leader and resident of Barangay Ayong, the troops of the 51st Infantry Battalion noticed a man on his motorbike nearby.
“Troops were prompted to approach the individual and eventually identified him as a certain Farhan Calid Amir, 20 years old, of Barangay Bangon,” he said.
Amir was asked to open the U-box of his motorcycle, which yielded a hand grenade.
During the investigation, the suspect requested the troops to accompany him to a house where he turned over to the government forces three .45-caliber pistols with magazines loaded with ammunition.
Joint Task Force ZamPeLan Commander, Maj. Gen. Generoso Ponio, said the suspect, firearms, and the explosive are now in the custody of the Pagayawan municipal police station for proper disposition.
“We encourage the feuding clans to settle their disputes now, for everybody to have a chance to live in harmony and prosperity,” he said.
Source: Philippines News Agency
