Duterte orders NBI to probe killing of gov't consultant in Negros Occidental

President Duterte has tasked the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to investigate the killing of government consultant Mariano Antonio "Marton" Cui III in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental last month.

Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque made the announcement 21 days after Cui, a consultant for hospital operations of Negros Occidental, was gunned down by unidentified perpetrators outside Emerald Arcade in Barangay Palampas, San Carlos City on April 12.

In his press briefing on Monday, Roque said the President denounced the killing of Cui, who also served as the chief-of-staff of former Negros Occidental first district Representative Jules Ledesma.

"Mariing kinokondena ng Pangulo ang pagpatay kay (The President condemns the killing) Mr. Mariano Antonio Cui III," he said.

"Inatasan ni Presidente ang NBI na imbestigahan ang pagpatay na ito at parusahan ang may sala at mabigyan ng katarungan ang pamilya ng biktima (The President ordered the NBI to investigate the killing and punish the perpetrators to give justice to the family of the victim)," he added.

Roque likewise expressed condolences to the family of the slain government consultant.

"Nakikiramay po ang Presidente sa pamilya at sa mga taga-Negros dahil alam po namin na mahal si Mr. Cui sa buong probinsiya ng Negros (The President condoles with the family of the victim and with the people of Negros Occidental because we know how loved Mr. Cui is in the province)," he said.

Police Lt. Ruby Aurita, San Carlos City deputy police chief, said Cui was about to ride his car around 8 p.m. on April 12 when the gunman on board a van shot him with an alleged sniper in the chest.

Cui was declared dead upon his arrival at a hospital.

She added that the suspects might have waited for the victim to come out of his office to commit the crime.