To recall, Afdal, also known as SAGA was ambushed in Santa Cruz, Rosario, Agusan del Sur on October 26, 2021 while he was driving alone toward an area where he had a mining prospect.
Afdal initially survived the shooting, however, he eventually succumbed to his gunshot wounds while undergoing medication in a hospital.
Lawyer Xyleex Barroga, legal counsel of Afdal Family who read the statement in a press conference on Friday at The Royal Mandaya Hotel here said the family is heartened by recent developments in their search for justice.
The gunman, Jeffrey Mamerto, a rebel returnee who was arrested by Rosario Municipal Police Station made confession before the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) pointing to three more co-conspirators, one of whom he named as the mastermind.
“With this new information, we are hopeful that the cause of justice for SAGA will gather momentum,” the statement reads.
Afdal’s widow, Evelyn on October 26, 2023 filed a complaint-affidavit before the Agusan del Sur Provincial prosecutor’s office against another suspect, Ryan Mark Baylon who was identified by Mamerto as the alleged mastermind of the killing.
Baylon, accordingly, was a business associate of Afdal, and both were riding buddies of former President Rodrigo Duterte, being members of the ‘On Any Sunday Riders Club’ of Davao City.
SAGA, after serving in the military for 20 years, had ventured into various businesses such as a school, a training center on aviation mechanics, a beach resort, real estate, and mining.
Being the president of Philsaga Mining Corporation, SAGA initiated a deal with the Manobo tribe by indicating a royalty payment higher than what is mandated by law.
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