Pagadian City - Zamboanga Del Sur News and Information

THE LIBERAL PARTY (LP) hierarchy in Zamboanga del Sur headed by Vice Governor Roseller “Roy” Ariosa was alarmed by the series of extra judicial killings in the city, happening at a time when Comelec’s total gun ban is being implemented.

The LP’s denunciation came after three of the murders were believed to be politically motivated and the suspects in all the killings were riding in tandem on board a motorcycle.

First to fell from an assassin’s bullet was Rascal Tiban Afdal a political leader and a relative of Mayor Abubakar Afdal of Labangan town.Afdal was killed, January 4 by three motorcycle riding gunmen at Purok Bahada near Rotonda of Barangay Dao while on his way to work. He was with his wife when the shooting happened.

Last January 16 another political leader of the Afdal clan identified as Hadja Hanira Abdullah Agcong was shot at close range while seating in her parked L-300 Van just in front of Pagadian Gaisano Capital along Rizal Avenue.

The next day Muttalidem “Steve” Tapodoc, Executive Secretary of Labangan Vice Mayor Kiti Nandang and a candidate for the town council, was shot dead along Datoc Street at the back of city hall a few meters away from the police station.

Nandang strongly believes the killing of the three victims has something to do with the up coming May election this year however, he refused to elaborate.

The gruesome murders should be investigated and killers brought to the bar of justice, Senator Mar Roxas, LP Vice Presidential Candidate said in a statement.

Like Nandang, Roxas also believed the killings “could be the kick-off of organized violence against opposition candidates and supporters to sabotage the widely-expected opposition victory in May 10 elections.”
He then called on the Comelec “to take drastic steps to stop the rising poll-related incidents of violence, or risk demanding the credibility of the elections.”

The senator added that there is a need to replace the entire PNP contingent in Zambosur to quell the apprehension of LP leaders and supporters who expressed concern that the gunmen maybe men in uniform, “moonlighting or co-opted to do their dirty work for pro-administration candidates in the region.”
Asked for his comment, City Police Chief Inspector Michael P. Palermo did not rule out the political angle but said, based on their investigation the killings had something to do with personal dealings and family matters.

Palermo cited, for example Afdal’s murder was in connection with the illegal drug trade while Agcong’s was due to Muslim family feud or Rido.