By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

In response to the recent abduction and murder of Ontao Sacar, a Marawi City native whose remains were found earlier this week in Bacolod City’s Barangay Mandalagan, Mayor Evelio Leonardia focused his attention on the optics of the situation and said the incident will not affect the city’s image as “the most business-friendly city.”
He added, the local economy “remains vibrant.”
Earlier this week, Sacar was abducted by armed gunmen while on his way home to the city’s Barangay 10.
Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) spokesperson, Police Lt. Colonel Ariel Pico, confirmed Sacar was a previously-surrendered drug suspect who gave himself up to Police Station 6 in September 2018.
The BCPO spokesperson stated, however, they are not yet considering the case as being drug-related after they were instructed by BCPO director, Police Colonel Henry Biñas, to review all possible angle, such as a business dispute, personal grudges, among other possible motives.
“We are not disregarding [the possibility] the case [may have] stemmed from illegal drugs, but we are also looking at business interests and personal grudges because he is a businessman,” Pico said.
The Muslim community in the city also expressed outrage over the murder and denied their elder was actively engaging in illegal drug activities.
In a recent interview with RMN DYHB-Bacolod, a man who requested anonymity and had prepared Sacar’s remains for burial claimed the victim may have been tortured prior to being killed and, noted, his left eye was gouged out and there were bruises across his abdomen.
In addition, Five gunshot wounds were also found on the victim’s head./DGB, WDJ