Slain mayor had conflict with ex-general, police say

PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) chief Oscar Albayalde said on Thursday, July 5, that slain mayor Antonio Halili had a conflict with a former high-ranking general.

Albayalde said they were looking at this conflict as a possible motive for the mayor’s killing. Other possible motives are related to a land dispute and illegal drugs.

“Meron din s’yang nakaaway na former general na high ranking at meron din alleged lang naman yun with regards ‘yung involvement n’ya sa illegal drugs... Hindi ko lang sure kung ano talaga ang naging puno't dulo nung away nila,” he said.

Albayalde said they have yet to identify the former general, whom Halili had argued with.

Halili was killed by a single bullet to the heart while attending the flag ceremony at the Tanauan city hall in Batangas province on Monday, June 25.

Calabrzon chief of police Chief Superintendent Edward Carranza said they were looking at three persons of interest, including a person proficient in the use of a long firearm.

Police said Halili was shot from about 150 meters away, using an armalite rifle.

Carranza said the killing was well-planned as the assailant left no traces. Even the bullet disintegrated upon impact.

Halili was one of two mayors in the past three days. About 36 hours after he was gunned down, Mayor Ferdinand Bote of General Tinio town in Nueva Ecija was ambushed and killed in Cabanatuan City.

Officials said there is no connection between the two incidents amid apprehensions over the brazen high-profile killings in the country. (Third Anne Peralta-Malonzo/SunStar Philippines)

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