Moreno Orders For the Arrest of Attackers of Marawi Mayor Salic

12 Apr Moreno Orders For the Arrest of Attackers of Marawi Mayor Salic

On a Saturday dawn, April 9, Marawi City mayor Fahad Salic has been ambushed while leaving a family gathering at the Pryce Plaza Hotel, Cagayan de Oro City. Mayor Oscar Moreno has been displeased by such barbaric act to occur in an amicable city of Cagayan de Oro.

AMBUSH OF MARAWI MAYORPolice investigators check for evidence at the ambush site of Marawi City Mayor Fahad “Pre” Salic at Pryce Plaza Hotel in Cagayan de Oro on Saturday April 9, 2016. Salic and his driver who were on board the Red Ford Ranger were wounded.Mindanews photo by Froilan Gallardo

Based on an information from the police, Mayor Salic and his driver Cairoden Gunting had just exited Pryce Plaza when upon reaching the pathway going out, a Toyota Hi-Ace van blocked the mayor’s red Ford Ranger truck shooting it purposely.

Fortunately, Salic and Gunting endured the bullet injuries from the surprise attack and was now healing in a private hospital in the city.

Moreno’s pursuit for the Marawi mayor’s attackers has been swift as soon as the news has arrived at him. Police heads as instructed by Moreno, are compelled “to swiftly and decisively identify and arrest the perpetrators of this dastardly act, and bring them to the bar of justice accordingly.”

Not just the police officers, but civilians have been urged to have their testimonies submitted to the police too. “To those who may have witnessed the ambush, I urge you to contact police authorities immediately to help solve this [crime],” Moreno said.

The vice chair of the Bangsamoro National Movement for Peace and Development, Drieza Lininding, believes that the attack is triggered by mere personal issues and not related to any sinister political intents.

However, Dr. Nadjemah Mokiin Malna, Salic’s sister won’t agree with Lininding’s conclusions, considering the fact that Salic is running for Governer of Lanao del Sur this coming May election under Jejomar Binay’s United Nationalist Alliance (UNA). Thus, it is highly probable that the attack is politically propelled.

Salic’s counterpart for the coming election is the mother of outgoing Governor Mamintal Adiong Jr., Soraya Alonto-Adiong, of the Liberal Party (LP).

After the incident, Adiong assembled with the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) to direct the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in an immediate and thorough investigation on the ambush.

Spokesperson of Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (Cocpo), Police Senior Inspector Maricris Mulat, believed that the ambush is planned. “Planado gyud to kay gi-timing man nga paggawas sa Pryce Plaza naa naman sa ubos ang mga suspects and wala ta kabalo basin ang laing contact naa sa taas nag-blend lang pud sa activity kay family gathering man daw ang gitambongan ni mayor,” Mulat said in an interview.

He also said “Dinhi ang mga suspect nakakita sa chance kay sa ilang lugar makita nga daghan back-up and convoy si Mayor and basin kumpyansa ra pud siguro sila mayor ato nga time,”

Mulat acknowledged the fact that the responsibility rests on them and the rest of the Cocpo in guarding Salic in his recovery in the hospital he and his driver was admitted into. As long as Salic is within Cagayan de Oro City, they will take full measure in protecting the Marawi city mayor on further attacks from his foes.

The Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) would review the closed-circuit television camera (CCTV) installed in the establishments near the ambush area to locate the suspects’ movement. The CCTV from the SM flyover is considered as a huge help in determining the outcome of the investigation. Also, the two cellphones that are recovered from Salic’s vehicle is under investigation. The text messages and calls before the incident might give a further lead in capturing the attackers.