CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY—Lanao del Norte second district Rep. Abdullah Dimaporo has asked law enforcement agencies such as the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and the National Bureau of Investigation on Monday to conduct a thorough investigation to locate and identify Pantar town mayor Mohammad Exchan Limbona’s killers.
Dimaporo also appealed to President Rodrigo Duterte to give Limbona’s killing a priority.
“We ask our President to give time for the capture of the assassins of Exchan Limbona who has contributed to our pursuit of law and order, peace and unity of our people [in Lanao del Norte],” he said in a statement.
In a separate statement, Lanao del Norte Gov. Imelda Quibranza-Dimaporo said Limbona was a dedicated leader who “never abandoned or left his constituents” during the political crisis in Pantar.
Limbona was gunned down by still unidentified men inside his vehicle on its way to Pantar from this city in Sitio Paitan, Barangay Dalipuga, Iligan City, on Dec. 29.
In a radio interview Monday, Iligan city police chief, Senior Supt. Leony Roy Ga, said it was probable that Limbona’s vehicle was being followed as it made its way to Pantar from this city since the killers knew that the former mayor was driving.
Ga said the assailants’ car has been tailing Limbona’s Ford Everest from this city and got the chance when the target vehicle slowed down.
He said the attackers then overtook Limbona’s SUV and fired at the drivers’ side hitting the victim before speeding off.
Investigators said Limbona had six gunshot wounds on various parts of his body.
Limbona was brought to a medical facility but he was declared dead after about an hour later.
Weapons believed to be used by the attackers were .38 caliber and 9mm pistols and M16 rifle, based on the empty shells that were recovered.
Ga said the police are still looking for potential witnesses that could help them identify the suspects, since the area where the incident happened was secluded and dark.
Even Limbona’s wife and daughter, who were with him during the ambush, and his two police escorts who were injured, could not give details that would lead to the identity of the attackers.
In previous interviews, Ga said it was probable that Limbona’s assassination was triggered by “rido” (clan war) and politics in his hometown.
Limbona was involved in a controversy when he was accused of killing Pantar vice mayor Hadji Abdul Onos in 2007. He was administratively dismissed by the Office of the Ombudsman in 2014.
In May 2014, Mangonday Tago was appointed as acting mayor after Limbona’s dismissal order although he refused to vacate his post.