2008-05-09 23:34:09 -

ACAPULCO, Mexico (AP) - A rural political boss on the run from gunmen who killed 17 of his relatives and associates has resigned a union post that helped him consolidate power, Mexican media reported Friday.
Rogaciano Alba Alvarez, the most powerful man in the Pacific coast town of Petatlan, called members of the cattle union

from hiding to announce his decision, according to the government news agency Notimex and the newspaper El Sur.
Seven members of the union were killed Saturday as they returned from a meeting led by Alba. The next day, gunmen showed up at his home, forced 10 of his friends and relatives into a line and gunned them down.
Two of his sons were among the dead. His 18-year-old daughter is missing and feared kidnapped.
The government of Guerrero state has deployed more than 140 police officers to search for the gunmen and Alba's daughter. Police set up checkpoints across the area and were patrolling with the help of army troops and federal officers.

The motive for the massacre remains unclear, but Guerrero Gov. Zeferino Torreblanca Galindo has said it may be linked to drugs.
Alba angrily denied any ties to drug trafficking in his phone call to union members.