Murder charges filed against suspects in the killing of Cotabato City public safety officer (Sabong News)
Author
Manila Bulletin
Date
APRIL 02 2022
COTABATO CITY- Police probers have filed murder charges against seven suspects tagged in the gun-slaying of a retired police colonel who served as head of the city public safety office last March 19.
PBrig. Gen. Arthur Cabalona, regional police director for Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, said Saturday murder and frustrated murder charges were filed against the suspects before the city prosecutor’s office in connection with the killing of retired police Colonel Rolen Balquin and the wounding of his security escort, Police Master Sergeant Ariel Gutang.
The victims were gunned down in broad daylight by the suspects while about to board their car along Barangay Rosary Heights, this city.
Balquin, a member of Philippine National Police Class 87, succumbed to bullet wounds on the head and body borne by a .45 caliber pistol while Gutang sustained two bullet wounds in the stomach.
Cabalona said five of the seven suspects had already been identified but their identities are withheld pending the issuance of the arrest warrant by the court.
Police investigators are eyeing personal grudge as the motive in the killing which was prompted by the suspects, some of whom used to be the subordinates of Balquin at the city public safety office.
Police said the suspects were earlier dismissed from the city government upon the recommendation of Balquin.
