Gov. Marañon: "Politician ordered killing of Malabor"

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. the other day said many witnesses, in their affidavits, had pointed at a politician to be behind the killing of 5th district Provincial Board Member Renato Malabor and bodyguard Leody Jomilla.

Malabor and Jomilla were shot dead outside a cockpit in Asenso Village at Barangay Guintubhan of Isabela town on June 28.

Marañon, however, refused to name the politician and whether the latter is an incumbent or not. "There are many witnesses. Ask the police. In fact, it was already in the fiscal, but our judicial process is very slow."

The governor also lamented that the case has yet to be filed in court, as the Prosecutor's Office has yet to resolve the murder complaints. “Go to the fiscal so they will speed up the process. Tell them justice delayed is justice denied,” he said.

Marañon insisted that the motive of the killing was politically-motivated, saying that Malabor, before his death, had already announced he will be running for mayor of Isabela town in the 2016 elections.

Isabela Mayor Enrique Montilla Jr., taking the insinuation considering that he will be Malabor’s opponent, had vehemently denied his alleged involvement, saying he did not and will never order the killing of the PB member.

Montilla on Thursday dared Marañon to name names because it would not be fair for the governor to say it was politically-motivated without mentioning names. “The statement of the governor is very irresponsible, reckless, and without basis,” he said.

The incumbent mayor said he considered himself as a victim too because he was unfairly bashed at the social media, even if he did not do it but still blamed for it.

When pressed for reaction on Montilla's statement, Marañon insisted he will stand on his words that the killing was politically-motivated. "If you are innocent, you should not worry. The truth will set you free," the governor said.

Two counts of murder complaints were filed on July 29 at the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor against the 10 suspects, including Police Officer 1 Robert Chloe Rito, who witnesses identified as the alleged gunman.

Two of the 10 suspects are now already in police custody after they were arrested in separate police operations in Himamaylan City last July.

Jacklyn Villaqer, 26, of Moises Padilla town was arrested on July 9 for illegal possession of firearms while Felipe Juntarciego of Himamaylan City was collared on July 25 for illegal drugs and gunrunning. Villaqer allegedly revealed he was one of the lookouts in the murder of Malabor and Jomilla.

Earlier, Senior Superintendent Samuel Nacion, officer-in-charge of the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office, had said the nearest possible motive was politics and that the mastermind was most likely a politician. However Nacion refused to comment further, insisting the police will wait for the prosecutor to come out with the resolution soon. (FREEMAN)