By JOEY NACALABAN
and NITZ ARANCON
Correspondents .
THE man who killed former Kadingilan, Bukidnon mayor and real estate developer Joelito Talaid casually walked towards his target, pumped a bullet into the victim’s head at point-blank range, walked away, and then left with another man on a red motorcycle.
This was how a witness narrated how Talaid, the developer of West Fatima Subdivision in Barangay Pagatpat, was shot and killed near a fruit store at Lane 101 in upper Carmen on Saturday.
According to Cagayan de Oro City Police Office spokesman Supt. Mardy Hortillosa, the witness told investigators that the gunman did not hide his face — he merely wore a cap and a jacket.
“Wala magso-ot ug maskara ang suspect. Nagkalo lang siya, ug mikana-og sa motor nga ilang gisakyan ug naglakaw lang padulong sa sakyanan sa biktima, ug iyang gidol-itan pagpusil ang ulo sa biktima. Paghuman niyag pusil, mibalik siya sa ilang gisakyan nga motor ug misibat,” said Hortillosa, quoting the witness.
Hortillosa said the witness has executed an affidavit and is now receiving police protection.
He said the witness was present in the area and saw Talaid shot at close range with a caliber .45 pistol.
Hortillosa said investigators are now “40-percent” done with their investigative work, and were working to enhance CCTV recordings.
Police said they have no suspect yet but only a “person of interest” — the estranged live-in partner of Talaid named Alona.
“Gihimo namo’g person of interest si Alona tungod kay grabe man ang ilang away sa biktima. Nag sinumbonga man ni sila karon sa korte,” Hortillosa said.
Hortillosa said even the wife of Talaid and another live-in partner were considered “persons of interest” in the murder case, and were subject to police questioning.
He however said investigators have taken much interest on the estranged live-in partner in that she and Talaid sued each other in court.
“Kining iyang silbing ika duhang asawa, ma-o gyud ang atong bugat nga person of interest kay nagka-conflict man gyud ni sila sa biktima sa ilang negosyo ug kabtangan,” Hortillosa said.
He said Talaid had been charged with illegal detention by the woman while the former mayor sued his estranged partner with trespassing.
Hortillosa said Talaid and the woman also figured in a civil case over the ownership of a vehicle.
Police however said investigators have not ruled out other possibilities, pointing out that Talaid was a politician. Another possibility, he said, is business rivalry.
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