BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The killing of provincial consultant Mariano Antonio “Marton” Cui was well planned, and perpetrated by experts.
This was the initial assessment of police provincial director, Col. Romy Palgue, and Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson yesterday, as the investigation by the PNP Special Investigation Task Group in the killing of Cui entered its fourth day.
Initial police investigations showed that Cui was shot from a distance.
Lacson said the killing was definitely planned because the gunman waited for Cui to came out of his office, and shot him while he was about to enter his vehicle.
“Only experts can do it,” Lacson said.
Palgue, accompanied by other SITG members, including the SOCO and Crime Laboratory personnel, updated Lacson yesterday on their ongoing investigations.
He confirmed that two slugs of still undetermined caliber of firearms were recovered from the body of Cui, and from his vehicle.
Palgue also raised the possibility that the gunman may have positioned himself in one of the two vehicles, a Toyota van and a silvery gray Starex van, that were seen parked in the area since about 4 p.m. Monday. Cui was gunned down past 8 o’clock that night.
Police probers are also verifying reports that the two vans were “escorted” by two motorcycle-riding individuals.
POLITICS ANGLE EYED
Asked for possible motives, Palgue said politics is among the angles they are pursuing in the SITG investigation.
Cui used to work as chief of staff of former Rep. Julio Ledesma IV (Neg. Occ., 1st District), and an administrator of his business. He also worked under Lacson as provincial consultant for the Hospital Operations Division.
Cui reportedly shared his plans with Lacson to run for mayor of Toboso in next year’s elections.
As far as the investigation is concerned, Lacson said it has not yet reached the level of who the mastermind and the triggerman are.
He said it is still in the preliminary stage, and the caliber of the gun used is still being determined.
NO SUSPECTS YET
“We cannot pinpoint anybody as the police did not touch on that yet,” he added.
Palgue assured the family and friends of Cui, whom he described as a good and very helpful man, based on comments on social media, that the PNP is doing its utmost to solve the incident, and give justice to the death of Cui. He enjoined anybody, who may have any information that will contribute to the solution of the case, not to hesitate in sharing it with the investigators.*
