P50T reward for arrest of suspect who stabbed Surigao City Mayor’s political strategist

by Ben Serrano

     November 28, 2010

            SURIGAO CITY (PNA) - Surigao City Mayor Engineer Ernesto “Nitoy” Matugas offered P50,000 cash reward for anybody who can give information leading to the arrest of the suspect who stabbed his chief election campaigner and political strategist Mr. Balgamelo Cabiling Ma.

            Ma, 59, married, who is now working at the City Administrators’ Office was stabbed last November 22 about 5:45 p.m. in front of his home along Roxas corner Gonzales Streets this city by still unidentified suspect about 5’9” in height, thin face, fair complexion, wearing a black bull cap, black jacket and long pants.

            Initial police investigation said Ma was riding his single motorcycle from the city hall going to his residence and upon arrival, an unidentified person approached him, started stabbing him using an improvised bladed instrument that hit at the left-side part of Ma’s body.

            Police said Pepito Ma, the victim’s son who was waiting for him in front their home pushed the victim after the victim again attempted to stab his father maybe for a kill who was already wounded at that time 

             In front view of the public as the crime scene was a busy city street , the suspect took turn in stabbing Pepito Ma but he managed to elude the stabbing attacks of the suspect, the suspect then pulled a gun but sensing people already started to notice the commotion he then started and slowly run away from the scene towards Borja and Rojas Streets.

            Despite of the shouting and commotions it made and the bloody scene from the wounds of Ma, no one ever dared to help Pepito Ma as they could have subdued the lone suspect who had difficulty then in pulling a gun tucked inside his bag.

            Wounded Ma was rushed to Surigao Medical Center who sustained one stabbed wound on the left-side of his body and lacerated wound on the front part of his belly.

Further investigation revealed that the victim was clueless as to the identity of the suspect, but can still recognize the suspect’s face. 

            Mayor Matugas for his part strongly condemned the attack of his close political and trusted ally who had been with him through thick and thin after Matugas ran but failed twice to get the coveted Surigao City Mayor seat against then former Mayor Alfonso Casurra until on May 10,2010 elections, Matugas won. (PNA/Ben Serrano)