LISBON, Portugal (AP) — A manhunt is under way in West Africa's Cape Verde islands for a soldier suspected of killing 11 people at a military barracks.

The former Portuguese colony's president, Jorge Carlos Fonseca, said on his Facebook page that investigations into the slayings are proceeding "at a good and positive pace."

The government said a disgruntled soldier who has gone missing is suspected of gunning down eight other soldiers and three civilians, including two Spaniards, on Tuesday. It did not name him.

Fonseca said in his social media post Wednesday that he is canceling an official trip to one of the country's 10 islands so he can follow the investigation.

Local newspaper A Semana reported a heavy police presence in the capital Praia, with some 40 police in its main square.