BUTUAN CITY – The Police Regional Office-13 on Thursday, Feb. 5, said they have a person of interest in the ambush of Barobo town, Surigao del Sur province Mayor Ronito L. Martizano on Tuesday, Feb. 3.
“We cannot divulge the identity of the person of interest by this time as our Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) is thoroughly and deeply validating all the details,” said Police Major Jennifer S. Ometer, PRO-13 Public Information Office chief.
She said the SITG led by Surigao del Sur Police Provincial Office (PPO) Director Police Col. Jeffrey Lawrence D. Mauricio is tracking and pursuing the suspect.
Mauricio was ordered by PRO-13 Director Police Brig. Marcial Mariano P. Magistrado to personally lead a focused, thorough, and expeditious investigation for the immediate arrest of the suspects.
“As of this time, thorough validation of all angles for the solution of the case is done,” Ometer said.
The Barobo Municipal Police Station (MPS) is investigating if Martizano’s stance against illegal mining operations is a possible motive for the ambush.
Martizano ordered the total stoppage of all mining operations in his town, particularly in Barangay Tambis.
Because of this advocacy, Martizano had been receiving death threats, particularly when he led the closure of all mining operations in the town last Saturday.