Special team to probe ex-vice mayor’s slay

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna, Philippines — A special team has been formed to investigate the murder of a former vice mayor of Lobo town in Batangas.

Romeo Sulit, incumbent Sangguniang Bayan secretary and former vice mayor of Lobo, was delivering a message at a party in Barangay Tayuman when he was killed.

Sulit was rushed to the Lobo District Hospital and then transferred to the Batangas Medical Center Hospital, where he died from a gunshot to the head.

Relatives said the victim had no known enemies.

Capt. Roy Cuevas, Lobo police chief, said the special team is composed of six officers from the intelligence unit and investigators who are deputy chiefs with different assignments.

Probers recovered the following day a motorcycle believed used by the gunman during the murder.

“We are coordinating with the Land Transportation Office to identify the owner of the recovered motorcycle. The team will focus on locating the owner. This is the only lead we have right now in the case,” Cuevas said.

Probers recovered four bullet shells from the crime scene. They said the assailant could be a contract killer based in Central Luzon.

Investigation is ongoing.