Abadilla brod to testify vs nephew

The brother of slain former Military Intelligence Service Group chief Rolando Abadilla said yesterday he is willing to testify against his late brother’s son in connection with the slaying of a barangay chairman in Sampaloc, Manila last April 7.

Jaime Abadilla told police investigators it was his nephew, Rolando "Junjun" Abadilla Jr., who could be the brains behind the killing of Marcelo Santos, 61, chairman of barangay 461, zone 45.

Police have already identified the gunman and the driver of the get-away motorcycle, who are reportedly Junjun’s henchmen.

Manila Police district homicide section head Chief Inspector Alejandro Yanquiling Jr. said two vital witnesses in their custody pointed to Junjun, owner of RCJ Bus Lines, as the brains behind the Santos slay.

Santos was ambushed by three armed men while overseeing the cleaning of a barangay service motorcycle near a gasoline station at the corner of A.H. Lacson and Lealtad streets. He was declared dead on arrival at a nearby hospital from two gunshot wounds in his back. – Nestor Etolle

Yanquiling said a possible motive for the slaying was personal vendetta following Santos’ refusal to issue a barangay clearance for Junjun’s bus terminal. A barangay clearance is a requirement for the yearly renewal of an establishment’s business permit.

Santos allegedly favored RCJ Trans, which is owned by Jaime, a former mayor of Banna, Ilocos Norte. Jaime reportedly put up RCJ Trans to get even with Junjun, who supported the candidacy of his cousin, Carlito Abadilla, in the last mayoralty elections. Jaime lost to Carlito.

Jaime reportedly pays Santos P500 per bus per trip to allow him to park and ferry passengers right in front of the RCJ Bus Lines terminal.

Last Holy Week, Santos reportedly allowed buses from other fleets to park in front of Junjun’s terminal, which resulted in several verbal altercations between the two men.

Several persons have overheard Junjun threatening Santos and his barangay officer Mario Caranza with death, according to Yanquiling.