Robbery eyed in Samar ex-mayor's killing

MANILA, Philippines - Investigators are eyeing robbery as a motive in the killing of former Motiong, Eastern Samar mayor Constancio Pacanan in his rented room in a Mandaluyong City slum on July 7, an official said yesterday.

Senior Superintendent Armando Bolalin, city police chief, said while they have ruled out politics as a motive, “more and more (pieces of) evidence are pointing” to robbery since Pacanan’s widow claimed he kept a large sum of money in his vault, which was found empty.

A folder containing a list of persons who owed Pacanan money, totaling around P600,000, is also missing, he said.

Bolalin said investigators have invited several persons, including those seen drinking with him in his eight-square meter room in Welfareville Compound, but they have not yet identified Pacanan’s killers.

Pacanan served as Motiong town mayor from 2004 to 2007. He won by a mere margin of three votes over his rival, Francisco Langi Sr., in the 2007 elections but was unseated by the local court after a recount.

Pacanan also lost in his mayoralty bid in the last elections but planned to run again next year.