BUTUAN CITY – The Police Regional Office-13 has ordered the Agusan del Sur Police Provincial Police Office to fast-track the investigation on the murder of an American national in Trento, Agusan del Sur on Feb. 2.
PRO-13 Director Police Brig. Gen. Christopher N. Abrahano told Agusan del Sur PPO chief Police Col. Yahya B. Yusup to create a Special Investigation Task Group to facilitate the swift resolution of the case.
“You must look all leads and angles to bring those responsible to justice, and we will not rest until the perpetrators are apprehended and held accountable under the full force of the law,” Abrahano said.
“You must also intensify police visibility and checkpoint operations, bolstered intelligence-gathering, and enhance our partnerships with the local populace to ensure the safety of the people, including our foreign tourists,” he added.
Abrahano has condoled with the family of the victim, Ralph Eugene Manecke, 56, married, of Boston, Massachusetts, United States.
Investigation said Manecke and his Filipino companion arrived in front of an inland resort onboard a Sports Utility Vehicle in Barangay Pulang Lupa at around 9:30 p.m.
The victim was gathering their luggage at the back of the vehicle when a man appeared and shot him with a shotgun in the abdomen.
The suspect grabbed the sling bag of the victim’s companion with P50,000 and fled.
The victim sustained bullet wounds and taken to a hospital where he was declared dead.
Abrahano urged the people of Caraga to remain vigilant and report all crimes.
The Trento Municipal Police Station is conducting follow-up investigation.