Pagadian City broadcaster killed for revenge, investigator says

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — The death of Pagadian City broadcaster Carlos Arapoc Matas over the weekend was over a grudge, the police officer invetigating the case said.

PO2 Welito Nuena said Arnaiz Alam "Kabeb" Kabaro, a suspect captured in a pursuit operation in Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur, told police that the ambush was the result of a shootout in the same town on May 10.

"The captured suspect claimed they just wanted to exact revenge on Matas, who also ambushed them," Nuena said.

Nuena said Kabaro is under hospital arrest while recovering from a gunshot wound sustained in the pursuit operation. Three other suspects were killed in the encounter with the Army's 53rd Infantry Battalion and police personnel.

Chief Inspector Helen Galvez, spokesperson of Police Regional Office 9, identified the killed suspects as: Butchoy Abdul, a resident of Tukuran town; Bakar Inok; and  Salik Tabina, both residents of Labangan town in the same province.

In a May 13 report, regional police said two suspects were killed in the operation while one was wounded and arrested. 

READ: 2 suspects in Pagadian City broadcaster's death killed, 1 captured

The arresting team confiscated three firearms — an M4 rifle, a KG9 submachinegun pistol, and a cal.45 pistol — from the suspects.

Senior Inspector Aiko Tesoro, deputy chief of provincial intelligence branch, was wounded on his right arm during the operation. He was rushed to Hofileña hospital in Pagadian and then transferred to Ozamiz City Hospital for further treatment.

Matas, 61, a retired soldier who worked as casual employee of the provincial government and as volunteer radio announcer of DxCA FM based in Pagadian City, was killed an ambush along the highway at barangay Noburan, Labangan town on Saturday.