Hunt on vs. gunmen who killed lady teacher in Tacurong

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao – Police and military authorities have launched a manhunt against two men riding tandem on a motorbike, who shot dead a lady public school teacher along the national highway in Tacurong City around 6:45 a.m. Wednesday.

In a phone interview, Supt. Jeofil Siason, Tacurong police director, said the Army’s Task Force Talakudong is helping the police in searching for the killers of Annaliza Capinpin, 33, of Barangay ECJ Montilla, Tacurong City, and a teacher at the Salabacan National High School in Esperanza, Sultan Kudarat.

Capinpin was standing at a roadside waiting for a ride to Esperanza - where she works as a teacher - when two men arrived and shot her three times in the head and body.

Passersby and motorists rushed Capinpin to the nearby hospital but she died on arrival as pronounced by doctors.

Witnesses could not identify the gunmen’s facial characters since both were wearing crash helmets. Responding cops recovered empty shells for .45 caliber pistols at the crime scene.

Police investigators are initially looking at land dispute as a possible motive behind the murder case.

“It could be related to her position as president of CARP (Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program) in her hometown,” Siason said.

The police official added though that probers are also looking into other angles behind the incident. He said investigators are awaiting statements from the victim’s husband and other relatives. (PNA)