Zamboanga del Sur environment officer slain

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — A municipal environment and natural resources officer of Dumingag, Zamboanga del Sur was killed in a gun attack on Thursday.

Richard Cabilan was shot when he went out of the Agriculture Training Center to answer a call on his cellular phone, according to Zamboanga peninsula police director Brig. Gen. Neil Alinsañgan.

He said Cabilan was attending a meeting when the incident occurred.

Alinsañgan said Cabilan suffered two gunshot wounds in the head and another in his body and died at the scene.

The suspects escaped on two motorcycles.

Probers have yet to determine the motive for the killing.

Sen. Risa Hontiveros condemned the killing of Cabilan, who was her partymate in Akbayan.

“As a civil servant, it is very alarming that this gruesome attack happened inside the compound of a government-owned facility,” Hontiveros said in a statement.

“As a partymate, Butch upheld and embodied the best of public service. He had a profound impact on his community. He is widely recognized in Zamboanga del Sur for his fight against poverty, inequality and injustice. His death is a huge loss,” she added.

Hontiveros urged Philippine National Police chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin to investigate what she described was a political killing.

The senator also appealed for ”greater efforts from the state to protect our civil servants and all our citizens.”