Politician eyed in Ecija slay

LUPAO, Nueva Ecija – Police are eyeing a local politician as the alleged mastermind of last month’s killing of the mayor-elect and vice mayor-elect of this town.

Senior Superintendent Agripino Javier, provincial police director, said the politician, whom he declined to identify, has been tagged as the one who masterminded the attack on mayor-elect Alfredo Vendivil and vice mayor-elect Virgilio Vendivil inside a cockpit arena in San Jose City last June 15.

“We already have a suspect. He’s a politician,” Javier said, adding that they are gathering evidence for an airtight case against him.

Five men gunned down the Vendivils as they went out for a snack during a break in a two-cock derby they were sponsoring.

Seven others, including a nine-year-old boy, were wounded in the attack.

Superintendent Magno Biag, deputy provincial director for operations and head of Task Force Vendivil, said their investigation is hampered by the refusal of witnesses to cooperate with probers for fear of reprisals from those behind the killing.