Isabela, Negros Occidental (CNN Philippines) — Board Member Renato Malabor Sr., of the 5th District of Negros Occidental, and his bodyguard were shot and killed outside a derby arena in Barangay Guintubhan, Isabela town in the province at about 1:15 a.m. Sunday (June 28).
Malabor was rushed to a hospital in Bacolod City, about 70 kilometers from Isabela, while his bodyguard Butch Jomilla was brought to Isabela District Hospital. Both were declared dead on arrival.
Senior Insp. Ramel Sarona, chief of police of Isabela Police Station said that Malabor and Jomilla were leaving the derby arena when an unidentified gunman followed, and shot them at their backs.
Sarona said the gunman, who was wearing a ball cap, fled on foot.
The scene of the incident was about 4 kilometers away from the town’s proper.
The police said three empty shells of .9mm caliber pistol and an empty cartridge case of .45 caliber pistol were recovered from the crime scene.
As of press time, the police are still investigating to determine the motive of the killing.
However, Negros Occidental Alfredo Marañon Jr. calls the killing “politically motivated.” Marañon offers P2 million as reward to anyone who can pinpoint and nabbed the culprit.
Police provincial director Senior Supt. Samuel Nacion meanwhile said that they will form a task force composed of the Isabela Police, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, and Regional Intelligence Unit, that will only focus on solving the murder case of Malabor and Jomilla.
Malabor is the Negros Occidental Sangguniang Panlalawigan committee chairman on cooperatives, and public utilities, facilities and franchises.
