Police insist no trend in execs’ killings

If there is one common denominator that the Philippine National Police (PNP) has observed in the alarming string of killings last week, it was that all victims are elected officials.

However, PNP chief, Director General Oscar Albayalde refused to believe the killings of Tanauan City, Batangas Mayor Antonio Halili; General Tinio, Nueva Ecija Mayor Ferdinand Bote; and Trece Martires, Cavite Vice Mayor Alexander Lubigan signify a pattern or a trend.

“The only common denominator that we have seen is that all of them are elected officials but I think it’s coincidental. It is not a trend. Them being elected officials have no connection or whatsoever in the motives that we are investigating,” Albayalde said during a Monday press briefing in Camp Crame.

However, of the three cases, politics is being considered as a possible motive in the killings of Halili and Lubigan.

Halili reportedly had a dispute with a former general who had plans to rival him as mayor of Tanauan City.

Meanwhile, Lubigan was killed just last Saturday, a day after he announced in his inner circle that he would run for the mayoralty race in the forthcoming 2019 midterm elections.

In fact, Chief Supt. Edward Carranza, regional director of Calabarzon Police Regional Office (PRO-4A), said they have invited Melandres de Sagun, the third term mayor of Trece Martires City, for a statement as part of their investigation.

As to the case of Bote, Albayalde said they will “most likely” rule out politics since the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) has established a “strong and good” case on it.

Albayalde refused to divulge information on the lead they are working on Bote’s case.

However, it was previously reported the Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) Bote is eyeing quarry and business conflict as the possible motive in the killing. Bote’s family is engaged in quarrying and construction business, according to investigators.

Meantime, Halili’s son believed that his father’s political rivals and drug lords might be behind his assassination.

“Nararamdaman ko ang mga gumawa lang niyan kalaban sa politika and yung mga drug lords na yan,” said Mark Anthony Halili, son of the slain mayor, during a necrological service on Sunday.

He said he was at the Rotary Club convention in Canada when Halili was killed and still could hardly believe that his father is now dead.