Slain Abalos adviser buried today

MANILA, Philippines –  Mandaluyong Mayor Benhur Abalos’ political adviser and close friend, who was ambushed on the eve of his 47th birthday on Feb. 4, will be laid to rest today.

In an interview with The STAR, Mandaluyong public information office chief Jimmy Isidro said the remains of Joselito Torres will be brought first to the city hall gymnasium for the necrological service.

“Mayor Abalos, the families and friends of Jun (Torres) will be giving their respective eulogies to honor the good things which he had done for the city,” Isidro said.

Abalos said politics could be behind Torres’ murder. The victim’s brother, Danilo, said his brother had been receiving death threats since July 2010, but did not pay much attention to them because he had no enemies.

According to Danilo, the ones threatening his brother said his days were numbered and that they have a surprise for his birthday. “We only believed the threats were true when he was gunned down,” he said.

Mandaluyong police chief Superintendent Armando Bolalin earlier released a computer-generated image of the gunman, based on descriptions provided by witnesses. Abalos has offered P1 million to anyone who can provide information leading to the arrest of the gunman and at least two other men, who served as lookouts.