6 tagged in Navy intel officer’s slay

LAGUNA, Philippines — Six people, including an alleged owner of a construction firm, have been tagged behind the murder of a member of the Philippine Navy, who was found dead in Sto. Tomas, Batangas over a week ago.

Two of these six people – identified only as alias Carlo, 26, and Jay, 29 – reportedly witnessed the killing of the victim, who was said to be a Navy intelligence officer.

The victim was found at past 10 p.m. on Sept. 6 in an abandoned car parked along Maharlika Highway in Barangay San Rafael.

The following night, Carlo and Jay, who were in a rented car, were arrested in a follow-up operation at the tollgate of the South Luzon Expressway in Laguna.

Police withheld the identity of the construction firm owner, whom they tagged as the mastermind of the killing.

The firm owner’s security aide, a former New People’s Army guerrilla and a tricycle driver were also tagged as among the suspects.

Police said the former guerrilla was reportedly the one who shot the victim.

A complaint for illegal possession of firearms has been filed before the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor against Carlo and Jay, who remain under the custody of the police.

Probers said financial matters could be the motive for the killing.

Police are verifying reports that the victim had met with the alleged mastermind at the latter’s office before he was killed.

A manhunt was launched for the suspects.