DRUG-RELATED? Maj. Rexor Jake Canoy, spokesperson of the General Santos City Police Office, says they are eyeing illegal drugs as a possible motive in the killing on Monday night (Sept. 23, 2019) of former drug surrenderer Rolando Navarrete II. The victim was the son of Rolando Navarrete Sr., the former world boxing champion, known as the "Bad Boy from Dadiangas". (PNA photo by Richelyn Gubalani)
GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- Police are eyeing illegal drugs as behind the killing of a son of former world boxing champion Rolando Navarrete Sr. here on Monday night.
Maj. Rexor Jake Canoy, spokesperson of the city police office, said Tuesday Rolando Navarrete II alias "Tuko", 24, was walking with his live-in partner at a portion of Arazada Street, Carcon Village in Barangay Lagao at about 7:50 p.m. when he was gunned down by motorcycle-riding assailants.
Canoy said the victim, who was working as a laborer, and his partner Montessa Yama were on their way home after buying food at a nearby store when the incident happened.
Citing accounts from witnesses, he said a motorcycle with two men on board, stopped near the two and suddenly shot Navarrete. Yama was spared by the suspects.
Responding residents rushed the victim, who was hit on the head and chest, to the nearby Socsargen County Hospital, but was declared dead by attending doctors.
Canoy said the suspects hastily left the area towards an undetermined direction. Recovered at the scene were empty shells from a caliber .45 handgun.
"It was a calculated move and he was clearly the target," the police official said in an interview with reporters, adding that the victim was a former drug surrenderer and could have been used as an asset by other law enforcement agencies.
He said their records showed that the young Navarrete was allegedly involved in the illegal drug trade and robbery incidents.
"This could be a case of double dealing in relation to his illegal activities," Canoy said.
The victim was included in the city police's drug watch list and reportedly continued to peddle illegal drugs after voluntarily yielding three years ago, he said.
The elder Navarrete, who held the junior lightweight (super featherweight) world title in the 80s, did not issue any comment regarding the incident.
Called "Bad Boy from Dadiangas" and known for his hard-hitting punches, his career boxing ended after being convicted of rape and jailed for three years in Hawaii.
The former boxer, now 62 years old, made the headlines in the past years due to complaints of wife battery and drug use. (PNA)
