‘Malabon kagawad’s slay politically motivated’

MANILA, Philippines — Malabon Vice Mayor Jeannie Sandoval said the killing of barangay kagawad Dante Sih was politically motivated, even as police said it is too early to blame politics for the councilor’s death.

In a statement, Sandoval, who is gunning for the mayoral post against reelectionist Mayor Antolin “Lenlen” Oreta III, said Sih’s death “signifies that threat and violence reign in Malabon during election period.”

Sandoval called on authorities to conduct an “unbiased investigation” into the killing of Sih, who was shot at a market in Barangay Panghulo while he was boarding his motorcycle Wednesday.

A letter from a supposed communist group, left at the crime scene, stated that Sih was assassinated for extorting vendors, an allegation the family has denied.

In a video message on his Facebook page, Oreta called Sih his ally in government, and denounced his rival’s politicizing the barangay councilor’s death. He has offered a P200,000 reward for any tip on the assailants identity.

Malabon police chief Col. Jessie Tamayao yesterday assured that the police will release a sketch of the assailant’s face, adding that it is too early to rule out the killing as politically motivated.

Sih is the fifth barangay councilor to be killed in Malabon since 2016.

Barangay Catmon councilor Rodrigo Tambo, who was Oreta’s political officer, was shot dead by armed assailants in November 2018. The assailants were identified, but the family refused to file charges due to fear of reprisal, police said.

Barangay Concepcion councilor Daniel Villaluna and Barangay San Agustin councilor Bienvenido Reyes Jr. were ambushed in March 2016 at a gasoline station in Malabon. They were supporters of then mayoral candidate Malabon Rep. Josephine Lacson-Noel.

In October 2017, Barangay Tugatog councilor Alexander Quintos was shot dead by a gunman as he was urinating outside his friend’s house during a drinking session.