ZAMBOANGA CITY (Mindanao Examiner / May 30, 2013) – Police in Zamboanga City in southern Philippines said it recovered suspected illegal drugs near where a scion of a wealthy family was killed.
It said the large plastic sachet believed to contain methamphetamine hydrochloride or locally known as shabu was found Wednesday in the same area where the body of Justine Atilano, 31, had been recovered.
Atilano, whose real name was Jose Agustin Atilano, was shot dead early Wednesday in the coastal village of Rio Hondo, notorious for its criminal undergrounds.
Atilano, also a disc jockey, was said to be the owner of a restaurant in Pasonanca village, whose family runs a budget hotel.
Police said Atilano was on a motorcycle when he was shot and killed. His body was recovered near two parked jeeps near the Al-Makdum Islamic School in the village.
His motorcycle was also found in the area, according to the police. It said forensic investigators also found at least 13 bullet casing fired from a 9mm pistol, but it was unknown whether only one gunman or more was involved in the attack.
Police said Atilano was shot repeatedly. A photo of his body was also posted in Facebook and is now viral.
No individual or group claimed responsibility for the murder and police said it mounted an investigation into the latest killing. It was not immediately known whether the murder was connected to illegal drugs.
Killings are rampant in Zamboanga where guns for hire actively operate, but police usually blame personal grudge and family feud in the spate of attacks in the city. (Mindanao Examiner)
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