Talitay, Maguindanao mayor shot dead in Manila

The mayor of Sultan Sumagka (formerly known as Talitay) town in Maguindanao province was shot dead in Manila by unidentified men on Monday evening.

The fatality was identified as Mayor Abdulwahab Sabal, according to a report by Jhomer Apresto on Super Radyo dzBB.

LOOK: Talitay, Maguindanao Mayor Abdulwahab Sabal, patay matapos pagbabarilin ng hindi pa nakikilalang salarin sa harapan ng isang hotel sa Malate, Maynila. | via @jhomer_apresto pic.twitter.com/mUppX6Vu8Q

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) February 10, 2020

Sabal was shot in front of a hotel along Quirino Avenue in Malate before midnight.

Based on CCTV footage shown in a report by Bam Alegre on GMA News' Unang Balita on Tuesday, Sabal was able to run to the hotel entrance after he was shot. However, he eventually fell to the ground. 

Initial investigation showed a sniper may have possibly shot him. Police recovered a slug of an M16 rifle at the crime scene.

The hotel glass door entrance got broken as people hurriedly ran toward it, including Sabal.

The mayor also left traces of blood on his path as he ran.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Pabonita, chief of Manila Police District's Police Community Precinct 9, said Sabal was with three companions inside an SUV when he went down due to the sound of gunfire. He initially thought the sound was due to fireworks, but the SUV already had bullet holes.

"Ayon sa kuwento ng kasamahan, bumaba, pumunta sa pintuan. Nakarinig siya ng putok. Akala niya fireworks lang. Tapos nagtakbo kasamahan niya. Nabasag salamin. Nag-unahan silang pumasok sa pinto," he said.

There were no witnesses to the crime since the area was dark, the police said.

Sabal's three companions were unhurt.

The mayor attended an event at a hotel in Pasay City earlier that day.

President Rodrigo Duterte met with around 1,715 heads of local government units on Monday, and Sabal may have been at that event.

Sabal's relatives immediately went to the crime scene.

"Sa pagkakilala ko, mabait na tao at wala naman siyang gaanong kaaway. Ewan ko," said Abdul Nasser Ibrahim, one of the mayor's relatives.

Authorities are investigating the incident to determine the motive of the shooting and who may have masterminded it.

Sabal was included in Duterte's narco list.

He was previously arrested but was able to settle the matter out-of-court. —BAP/KG, GMA News