Eastern Samar PNP No lead yet on killing of councilor

TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines — Police investigators are still facing a blank wall over the killing of Councilor Antonio Abris of Mercedes town in Eastern Samar last August 25.

Senior Superintendent Felix Diloy, director of the Eastern Samar Police Provincial Office, said primary investigations to identify the killer of the councilor have yielded no lead so far.

Diloy said a task force has been created to focus investigation on the murder of Abris, who was shot dead while attending the vesper celebration of  Mercedes town’s annual fiesta.

The police are now looking into angles of politics, business, or love triangle as possible motives of the killing. “We are optimistic though to get a breakthrough in our investigations. Vital witnesses are needed now, of course,” said Diloy.

A lone gunman approached and shot Abris at close range, in front of visitors and guests at the dance plaza of the town, of which Abris was on his first term as councilor.

Representative Ben Evardone (lone district, Eastern Samar) had condemned the violence, victimizing town officials, and challenged law enforcers to immediately solve the Abris killing.