Trader denies involvement in slay of mayor’s aide

A Malabon trader tagged as the brains behind the killing of Mayor Canuto Oreta’s aide last December denied yesterday his involvement in the case, saying the victim was a friend and a "brother" in the Guardians Brotherhood Inc.

Amado Mendoza, 54, a resident of Barangay Longos, Malabon City, told The STAR that he does not "personally know" Danilo Villanueva, who surrendered to authorities for killing Romy Gahuman, Oreta’s aide.

Villanueva, who was presented to media at the Department of the Interior and Local Government office the other day, claimed Mendoza paid him to kill Gahuman.

"Gahuman is a friend and a brother, I cannot think of any possible reason why I would have him killed," Mendoza said.

The businessman said he and his accuser have their own personal dispute.

Villanueva, he pointed out, was a principal suspect in the killing of his nephew Wilfredo Villa some five years ago.

Villanueva, alias Danny Toyo, has several pending cases for murder, frustrated murder and drug dealing in the northern part of Metro Manila.

"I am urging the victim’s family to immediately file charges against Villanueva and if they think that I should also be charged, so be it. I am willing to face the charges in order to clear my name," Mendoza said.

Intelligence sources earlier claimed Mendoza, known as Tatay, and Villanueva were involved in a "turf war."

Mendoza, however, just shrugged off the claim, saying that he is open for an investigation.

"I am just a simple hog trader. I get my livestock in Bulacan," Mendoza said.

He said that upon reading newspaper reports that his name was being dragged into Gahuman’s killing, he immediately went to the mayor’s residence, but was advised by Oreta’s aides "to lay low and wait for everything to cool off."

On the night of Dec. 15, Gahuman was shot dead while walking near his house at the corner of Labahita and Hito streets in Barangay Longos.

The victim sustained two gunshot wounds in the back and died at a hospital.

Witnesses pointed to Villanueva as the gunman.

After the cops launched a massive hunt against him, Villanueva surrendered to authorities Friday.

When interviewed by DILG Secretary Angelo Reyes, Villanueva claimed he was paid P50,000 by Mendoza to kill Gahuman.

He also accused Mendoza of being involved in illegal activities in Malabon.

"He should be man enough to face his actions and not drag the name of other people," Mendoza dared Villanueva. – With Jerry Botial