MANILA, Philippines - Police are set to summon a town vice mayor in Ilocos Norte linked to the killing of Jovelito Agustin, 37, anchorman of dzJC Aksyon Radyo-Laoag.
Agustin was allegedly a vocal critic of the politician.
Ilocos Region police director Chief Superintendent Constante Azares said Bacarra town Vice Mayor Pacifico Velasco will be invited to give additional information that could lead to the solution of Agustin’s murder.
Velascos invitation does not mean he is considered a suspect, he added.
Azares said Velasco would be asked about the alleged gunman Leonardo Banaag Jr., alias Uno, who reportedly served as his bodyguard.
Based on police information, Velasco is confined at a hospital in Metro Manila undergoing treatment, he added.
Ilocos Police and the Task Force Usig have recommended that the witness be placed under the government’s Witness Protection Program for security reasons, Azares said. – Cecille Suerte Felipe, Jun Elias