DAVAO CITY – A mayor in President Duterte’s narco-list was killed along with his driver after inspecting the construction of his cockpit arena yesterday in Barangay Cabaruyan, Libungan, Cotabato.
Police identified the victims as Libungan Mayor Christopher “Amping” Cuan, 46, and his driver, Edwin Navarro Ihao, 36.
The Philippine National Police Regional Office 12 said Cuan had just arrived from this city and had just finished inspecting his cockpit arena when he was killed by four unidentified men using long firearms.
Initial investigation showed that the suspects onboard a blue SUV tailed the victim to the construction site which is about a kilometer away from Cuan’s residence in Barangay Cabaruyan.
A witness said Cuan, who was just wearing shorts and sandals, had just concluded a meeting with his workers and was about to board his vehicle when the suspects shot them. He added that the victim was able to run about 10 meters towards the construction site but he was eventually killed.
Cuan had survived a slay attempt last Jan. 7, 2019 inside the municipal hall.
He was among the mayors included in the narco-list of Duterte.
The victim denied the allegations but he was still subjected to a police operation in October 2016.
Police raided Cuan’s house, gasoline station, and a warehouse but found no illegal drugs. The police recovered firearms and ammunition instead.
Cuan was eventually released after posting bail.
North Cotabato Vice Gov. Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza condemned the killing of Cuan, saying that the incident did not only orphan his family, but also his constituents who look up to him for his leadership.
“The Sangguniang Panlalawigan and I call for a speedy and thorough investigation to attain justice for the beloved mayor,” Mendoza said.
