NPA rebs, rival pols eyed in Masbate vice mayor's slay

MANILA, Philippines – Quezon City Police District (QCPD) investigators are looking at the New People’s Army (NPA) rebels and political rivals among those who may be behind the killing of a Masbate town vice mayor in Quezon City Tuesday.

“The manner of execution” of the ambush on Aroroy town Vice Mayor Arturo Maristela, 60, was “premeditated, a preplanned operation,” QCPD director Chief Superintendent Benjardi Mantele said.

He said probers are checking into the possible involvement of the NPA because of Maristela’s long-standing campaign against insurgency.

Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit chief Superintendent Antonio Yarra said the killing has nothing to do with ordinary criminals. From the manner he was attacked, Maristela was the main target, Yarra said.

Maristela, accompanied by his wife, was driving a black Chevrolet Trailblazer when he was gunned down by two still unidentified armed men riding a red Honda XRM. The mayor and his family have been staying in his Metro Manila residence on Redwood street in Barangay West Fairview since Dec. 22, 2010 and was hardly known in the neighborhood, investigators said.

Upon reaching San Francisco street, making a shortcut to their home after late holiday shopping at a nearby mall, Maristela was ambushed, the attackers shooting him repeatedly.

Maristela was taken by a passing tricycle driver to the FEU Hospital nearby but was declared dead on arrival.

The vice mayor sustained two gunshot wounds in the left arm and one in the back. Scene of the Crime Operatives found three shells and two slugs from a .45 caliber pistol at the crime scene.

Yarra said Maristela’s family reported that Maristela had been receiving death threats from the group since he became mayor in 1997. Maristela served three terms as mayor and ran and won as vice mayor in the last elections.

Yarra said Maristela also requested the deployment of Army soldiers and established and trained civilian militia in his town. He added that Maristela was known to be a close ally of Rep. Antonio Kho of the second district of Masbate.

In the last polls, Maristela won against Jojo Lopez, his former campaign manager, who was reportedly openly supported by the NPA.

The incumbent mayor, Enrico Capinig, was Maristela’s former running mate and they exchanged places in the last local polls.

Mantele also announced the creation of a six-man special investigation task group headed by Yarra, who was ordered to “produce results” immediately. Mantele did not set a deadline for the task group.