2 persons of interest identified

Police have identified the two persons of interest in the murder of former Mandaue City councilor Beethoven “Toben” Andaya.

Cebu Provincial Police Office Director Eric Noble said that investigators are trying their best to solve the crime, adding that the reward for anyone who can give information leading to the killers’ arrest is a big help.

The Santander Municipal Government is offering a P150,000 bounty for the suspects’ arrest.

Noble received the letter from Santander Mayor Marilyn Wenceslao about the matter last Monday.

The Mandaue City Government is also offering a P200,000 reward.

The former councilor was allegedly killed by two men who entered his room at Pebbles Beach Resort in Barangay Liloan, Santander last Sept. 11.

Police found bills amounting to P1,000 scattered on the floor and Andaya’s wallet outside the room. Relatives said Andaya often carried a big amount of money for his bets on cockfighting.

Andaya’s cellphone was also gone.

Noble said the Provincial Intelligence Branch is helping Santander Police Station in solv- ing the murder. A reenactment in the crime scene was done last week.

Andaya served as a councilor for three terms, or nine years, in Mandaue.

He ran for vice mayor in the May 2016 election, but was defeated. He was the running mate of former councilor Emmarie “Lolypop” Ouano. /