DAVAO CITY – Local police in the Compostela Valley town of Monkayo have no lead yet on the motive and identity of the suspect in the murder of a village chairperson of Pasian last week.
Compostela Valley Gov. Jayvee Tyron L. Uy has now offered a reward for the immediate arrest of the suspects in the murder of Punong Barangay Joselito Crizaldo on September 4 during town’s celebration of its founding anniversary.
Crizaldo was gunned by two men, who were onboard a motorcycle, along Matillosa Street in Barangay Poblacion – just was he was about to go home after attending an event, police said.
“In light of the recent event, we offer a bounty worth PHP300,000 to whoever can point us to the killer and PHP500, 000 worth of cash to whoever can identify the mastermind of this crime,” Uy said in a statement on Sunday.
The governor also asked the public to immediately report to the police any information that could help them identify the suspect and the mastermind.
Uy condemned Crizaldo’s killing, saying the act had no place in the province. He assured the victim’s family that the authorities are on top of the case and that he is actively coordinating with Monkayo Mayor Ramil Gentugaya.
Uy also called on residents to practice vigilance by reporting suspicious and highly irregular activities to authorities.
Meanwhile, Gentugaya said the motive of the killing of Crizaldo could be political since the latter fully support his administration.
“The motive is clearly political as there is no other reason for someone to brutally take away the life of Punong Barangay Joselito Crizaldo, who has clearly made his strong stand to support the current administration,” he said.
Monkayo officials also condemned the killing.
Gentugaya assured the local government’s commitment to “act swiftly in the investigation and to go after the perpetrators of this heinous crime and bring them to justice,” he said. (Armando Fenequito Jr/PNA)
