By PNA and U.S. News Agency / Asian

Police in Sultan Kudarat province are eyeing the possibility that the victim in the latest riding-in-tandem attack in Isulan town could be linked with the killing three months ago of a police officer.

Sr. Supt. Rolen Balquin, provincial police director of Sultan Kudarat PNP, said initial investigations revealed that Allan Sampulna, the motorist who was seriously hurt when attacked by riding-in-tandem last Wednesday night, was arrested on July 12 for carrying unlicensed firearms during a highway check in Isulan town.

The traffic inspection during that time was led by a certain Police Officer 2 Akmad, a traffic enforcer in Isulan town. Akmad, according to Balquin, was responsible for the arrest of Sampulna and two others on July 12.

Two days later after the highway check, Akmad was killed by a riding-in-tandem.

Also, days later, Sampulna and two of his companions were released on bail.

Police hinted that the killing of PO2 Akmad could be linked with the arrest of Sampulna and company.

“But we’re still investigating. There are indications that the two incidents in July this year are linked with each other,” said Balquin.

The possibility was also high, police said, that the attack on Sampulna last Wednesday in Isulan town had something to do with the killing of PO2 Akmad.

Around 11 p.m., on Wednesday, Sampulna was driving his motorcycle on his way to Barangay Kalawag-Dos in Isulan town when two motorcycle-riding men shot him in different parts of his body.

Bystanders witnessed the shooting so they rushed to the site to help the victim.

The suspects fled after the incident.

Reports said it was the bystanders that rushed Sampulna to the nearest hospital in Isulan town.

Records from the Sultan Kudarat PNP showed that aside from illegal possession of firearms, Sampulna also figured in several car thefts in Southwest Mindanao.

“In fact, there were carnapping cases filed against him in court. But because these cases are bailable, Sampulna was freed on bail,” said Balquin.