Destura forms group to probe into Zapanta slay

By NITZ ARANCON
and SHIELA MAE BUTLIG
Correspondents .

MISAMIS Oriental police director Rolando Destura created a group that would focus on solving the case on the murder of the barangay chairman of Danao in Jasaan town,  Misamis Oriental, officials said yesterday.

Senior Supt. Destura formed the Special Investigation Task Group based on the directive of Misamis Oriental Gov. Yevgeny Vincente Emano who has expressed alarm over the shooting death of barangay chairman Alfredo Zapanta last week.

Chief Insp. Rogelio Labor, chief of the Jasaan police, said the task group is headed by Supt. Kenneth Balingsag, deputy police director for operations of the Misamis Oriental police.

Labor said the Jasaan police would serve as a “back-up” and would turn over to Balingsag’s group whatever evidence they can gather.

Until now, police have yet to identify a suspect in the July 13 killing of Zapanta.

He said no witness could give a clear description of the suspects.

But he said members of the task group met on Monday and started discussions on possible motives for the Zapanta murder.

“Duna nay among angolo nga among gi-consider pero dili pa namo ma-reveal kay under investigation pa man ang maong kaso,” Labor said.

Nicole Managbanag, capitol’s spokesperson, said there was a suspicion that Zapanta’s killing was politically motivated because the murdered barangay chairman was being considered as a candidate for the leadership of the Liga ng mga Barangay.

Gov. Emano earlier condemned the killing of Zapanta whom he called friend even as he revealed that he directed provincial administrator Jocelyn Mateo-Lood  to look for funds which the capitol could offer as a reward to anyone who can provide information that could result in the arrest of the barangay chairman’s killer or killers. At presstime, no clear reward has been announced by the capitol.