TF formed to probe Batangas mayor’s slay

Camp Miguel Malvar, Batangas – The Batangas police provincial office has formed a special investigation task force to investigate the slay of incumbent Balete mayor David Pamplona last Wednesday morning in Malvar town in Batangas.

Senior Superintendent David Quimio, Batangas police director has formed “Special Investigation Task Group Pamplona ” to handle specifically the case of Pamplona in order to expedite the resolution of the crime. 

“My instruction is to immediately resolve the case by identifying and put the suspects behind bars. We will not leave any stone unturned on this matter,” Quimio told The Star.

The task force will be headed by Superintendent Flaviano Garcia Jr., Malvar police chief and designated as the task group commander. He will be assisted by Criminal Investigation and Detection-Batangas chief Superintendent Archivald Macala. 

Members of the task force are Superintendent Gilbert Sauro of Intelligence; Superintendent Isagani Fetizanan of Investigation; Superintendent Leovino Ricablanca of the Regional Intelligence Division; Superintendent Marceliano Villfranca of Special Operation Group; Senior Inspector Jay­dee Ong-Atienza of legal; Chief Inspector Anacleta Cul­tura of Scene of the Crime Ope­rations and Senior Inspector Demetrio Berania of Balete police. 

In an interview with The Star, Quimio confirmed that the possible motive of Pam­plona ’s murder was political. 

“I’m positive and we have already in mind who’s the brain behind this killing, but we still have no concrete evidence to link him” Quimio said. 

Quimio said the suspect has all the capability to execute the crime but he momentarily did not elaborate.

He, however, dismissed the involvement of Pamplona ’s opponent in the last three terms of his governance as the mayor of Balete. 

“Hindi magagawa ng mga nakalaban ni mayor (Pamplo­na) ang krimen,” Quimio said quoting Ludivina Pamplona, wife of the mayor. 

Pamplona won against Carding Tapia of Kampi and Wenceslao Nipay of the United Opposition in the May 2007 election. He likewise won in protest against Amado Roxas in the 1998 election and was able to assume the seat as mayor in Balete in 2000. 

“Our problem is how to pin down the suspect legally since the local election is still far” Quimio said adding, “papaano mo mai-establish ang motive kung hindi pa naman nag de-declare na tatakbong mayor ang ating suspek.” 

He also hinted that the brain is considered as the “dark­horse” in the coming 2010 election. “Ayon sa mga taga Balete, mukhang nag umpisa naring mag-iikot itong kalaban ni Mayor Pamplona sa mga barangay.”