PNP chief identifies Mayor Biel's slay mastermind

PHILIPPINE National Police chief Director General Arturo C. Lomibao yesterday said the murder of Isabela City Mayor Luis R. Biel II last March 3 was solved with the arrest of a policeman suspect.

Lomibao said PO2 Rodil Tura, a member of the Basilan 909th Provincial Mobile Group, is now being investigated at the headquarters of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Zamboanga City.

Lomibao said Tura is the brother-in-law of Jaber Gani Tagar, one of the two assassins shot dead by Biel's bodyguards following a gunfight in front of the Isabela City hall last week.

Investigators from the Basilan Provincial Police Office and the 9th Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit arrested Tura after they found out that he owns a cal. .38 Smith & Wesson revolver recovered from Tagar.

"I've ordered the CIDG and the Basilan police to dig deeper into this murder case. I want to know who is the real mastermind and what was the motive behind the killing of Mayor Biel," Lomibao said. Biel's service car was in front of the city hall when Tagar shot him.

The mayor's escorts shot Tagar dead. Wounded were Biel's three security escorts and a civilian. they were taken to a local hospital along with the mayor who died while undergoing treatment.

Lomibao on Thursday visited Tawi, Zamboanga City and Sulu to thank local police officers and men for their full support to the Constitution and the Chain of Command during the crisis that engulfed the country two weeks ago.

He was accompanied by Director Noe A. Wong of the PNP Directorate for Logistics, Chief Supt. Servando M. Hizon Jr. of the Directorate for Comptrollership, PNP spokesman Senior Supt. Samuel D. Pagdilao Jr., Police Regional Office 9 director Chief Supt. Jaime G. Caringal and Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao police director Senior Supt. Akmad D. Mamalinta in his trips.

Lomibao also gave awards to outstanding local policemen and inaugurated the newly-constructed police stations of Tawi-Tawi and Sulu. (ZS)