POLICE on Tuesday filed murder charges against the gunman who killed an official of the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office in Sanchez Mira town, Cagayan two weeks ago.

Police Regional Office 2 director Chief Supt. Rodrigo de Gracia ordered a manhunt for the suspect identified as Adorable E. Caligan, Jr., alias “Boyet,” of Barangay Pata West, Claveria.

“We are still investigating the motive and the identity of the mastermind behind the killing,” De Gracia said.

He said Caligan was identified through the footages taken by a closed-circuit television camera showing him shooting CENRO forestry specialist Melania B. Dirain inside her office on Feb. 7.

A witness positively identified the suspect as the man who first peeped outside the CENRO office apparently looking for Dirain. The suspect returned five minutes later and killed the victim.

Dirain’s colleague tried to grab the caliber .45 pistol from the suspect but failed, prompting the gunman to flee. However, Caligan returned at seconds later and again fired shots at Dirain to ensure her death. He also shot but failed to hit Dirain’s co-worker.

Authorities eye Dirain’s massive campaign against illegal logging as the motive for the killing.