BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – Negros Occidental’s Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson clarified he has not received any threats to his life following the murder of Provincial Consultant on Hospital Operations Mariano Antonio “Marton” Cui last week.
“No, not before nor after [Cui’s murder] waay gid,” Lacson said.
There was a swarm of policemen during Cui’s burial on April 20. Lacson said this was requested by Cui’s family.
“Of course [the police] granted the family’s request, but not particularly by any public official,” the governor pointed out.
In 2018, Cui, Lacson and several other public officials were alleged to have links to controversial suspected drug lord Peter Lim. However, Atty. Aaron Lirazan, a lawyer representing both Cui and Lacson, denied the allegation.
According to Lizaran, the complaint brought before the National Bureau of Investigation against his clients was “politically motivated.”
Cui was shot on April 12 as he was leaving his office at the Emerald Arcade.
NEW EVIDENCE
Meanwhile, Police Lieutenant Abegael Donasco, spokesperson of the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO), revealed new information which may help solve the murder.
At least three vehicles may be involved in the incident, said Donasco citing a closed circuit television footage which investigators reviewed anew.
Donasco said the vehicles were a grey-colored Hyundai Starex van, a black Toyota Innova and a white van the police have yet to identify.
Four cigarette butts and an empty cartridge of an unidentified caliber were also recovered in the crime scene during another sweep by investigators.
Donasco said the newly-recovered evidence was immediately sent to the Philippine National Police Crime Laboratory in Camp Crame in Metro Manila for analysis.
Donasco particularly noted the cigarette butts was an important evidence as the crime laboratory may be able to extract the suspect/s DNA which will ultimately lead to his identification and arrest./PN
