Zambo mayor’s killers known

MANILA, Philippines - Police have identified and are now tracking down the gunmen in the shooting of Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur Mayor Ukol Talumpa at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Friday.

Senior Superintendent Billy Beltran, Southern Police District deputy director for operations, yesterday confirmed they have identified the attackers but declined to elaborate, citing operational security.

Beltran also did not comment on whether politics was the motive behind the attack.

Talumpa and his wife Lea were shot dead as they emerged from the NAIA Terminal 3 arrival area before noon Friday.

Saripudon Talumpa, a nephew of the mayor, and 18-month-old Gil Thomas Estuesta Lirazan, who arrived at the NAIA-3 with his parents from Bacolod, were also killed.

Five others were wounded in the shooting.

Witnesses said the gunman wore a police uniform, a black jacket and a bull cap.

Beltran said the killing was well planned, with the gunmen fully aware that Talumpa’s lone security was unarmed.

Investigators also noted that the gunmen were aware of the flight schedule of the Talumpa couple.

After leaving the departure area at the airport, two men on a motorcycle pulled up and one of them shot the victims in rapid fire.

Beltran added the gunman was apparently a proficient shooter who knew how to use a powerful .45-caliber pistol and change magazines efficiently. A total of 17 spent shells were recovered at the scene.

Police are focusing on the possibility that the killing could be politically motivated, further aggravated by a brewing clan war.

Talumpa, according to a report reaching the Philippine National Police (PNP) headquarters, was involved in an intense rivalry with former Labangan mayor Wilson Kity Nandang.

Nandang lost a son in an ambush staged by unidentified men three months ago in Lanao del Norte.

“The Talumpas and the Nandangs are not only engaged in intense political rivalry in Labangan but also in a clan war,” said the report.

PNP chief Director General Alan Purisima has ordered the Zamboanga del Sur provincial police to conduct their own background investigation into the case to support the ongoing probe in Metro Manila.

Background investigation in Zamboanga del Sur showed that prior to last Friday’s killing of Talumpa, the political rivalry between Nandang heightened following the ambush- slaying by unidentified gunmen of Nandang’s son three months ago in the town of Sultan Naga Dimaporo in Lanao del Norte.

The report added Talumpa was formerly the vice mayor of Nandang in Labangan.

In the May 2013 mayoral elections, Talumpa challenged Nandang and unseated him as mayor of Labangan.

Unidentified gunmen tried to finish off Talumpa twice, but he survived both attempts on his life.

The first try was in Malate, Manila in 2010 and the second in Pagadian City the following year.

Talumpa, his wife and nephew were buried in accordance with Islamic tradition yesterday.

Relatives and supporters of the Talumpas said politics and rido (clan war) was the motive behind the killing.

The wounded, on the other hand, were transferred to other hospitals in Metro Manila under tight security.

An official of the East Avenue Medical Center (EAMC) where the wounded were initially brought said the victims have been transferred to other hospitals upon the request of their relatives, citing security reasons. – With Roel Pareño, Janvic Mateo