Abalos political adviser's killer known

MANILA, Philippines - The Eastern Police District (EPD) has identified the prime suspect in the brutal slaying of the political adviser of Mandaluyong City Mayor Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr.

EPD director Chief Superintendent Francisco Manalo said two witnesses have positively identified the gunman of Jun Torres last Feb. 4.

However, Manalo refused to divulge the identity of the gunman for fear of jeopardizing on-going follow-up operations to get the suspect.

“We have four tracker teams presently in the field to get the gunman. We expect results in due time,” he said.

Manalo created Task Force Torres after President Aquino tasked the Philippine National Police (PNP) to solve the case.

Torres was shot in the head by one of the two motorcycle riding men while on board a Toyota Fortuner along Barangka Drive, Barangka Village, Mandaluyong City last Feb. 4, a day before his birthday.

The victim was rushed to the Mandaluyong City General Hospital and was transferred to University of Santo Tomas Hospital in Manila where he expired while being treated.

Earlier, Abalos said that politics was behind the killing of his friend, buddy and political adviser and offered P1 million reward for information leading to the arrest of the gunman.

Abalos said he has not found a replacement to Torres as his political adviser.