
ZAMBOANGA CITY (Mindanao Examiner / Apr. 12, 2012) – After saying that a man killed by policemen in a shootout in Zamboanga City could be the triggerman in the slaying of a university president, authorities now retracted its statement.
Police said ballistic examination on the pistol and spent munition shells recovered from the dead gunman was not the weapon used in the murder of Dr. Arturo Eustaquio. The man was shot dead in a gun fight in Putik village while his companion had been arrested by the police.
The duo was riding tandem on a motorcycle when one of them pulled out a gun when stopped by patrolling policemen for a routine inspection.
Officials quickly announced that the man was a prime suspect in the murder of Eustaquio, who was killed by two armed men on a motorcycle on April 1 and escaped after the daring attack.
Police offered a P100,000 bounty for anybody who could help or lead authorities to the identities of Eustaquio’s killers or the mastermind to the murder.
The killing drew strong condemnation from various civil groups and organizations. The spate of gun attacks and killings are not uncommon in Zamboanga where kidnappings and terrorism also posed a serious threat to the local peace and order. (Mindanao Examiner)