THE Philippine National Police (PNP) has already identified the firearm used in the killing of Los Baños, Laguna Mayor Caesar Perez, an official said.
Philippine National Police (PNP) Crime Laboratory Director Brigadier General Steve Ludan said in a press conference in Camp Crame that based on ballistic examination of the metal fragments recovered from the crime scene and on the victim’s body, the gunman used a caliber 5.56mm firearm.
But he said the firearm was unlicensed.
"So there is a possibility that the firearm is not registered or a loose firearm. We might have difficulties connecting these to whatever firearms we have on record or the bigger problem is we might not have any record, especially if these are loose firearms," he said.
Perez was shot dead by still unidentified gunman on the evening of December 3, 2020 inside the compound of the Municipal Hall.
The police said the gunman pulled the trigger from at least 26 meters away and Perez sustained gunshots in his head, shoulder and trunk.
The gunman is also seemingly a professional hitman considering the distance from where he fired the gun and that a special bullet was also used after it shattered upon shooting.
Perez's family is offering a P1 million reward to those who would provide information that would result in the arrest of the gunman.
Perez was included in the drugs watchlist of President Rodrigo Duterte. The family, though, sought Duterte's assistance for the arrest of the gunman.
Perez’s killing is being likened to the assassination of Tanauan Mayor Antonio Halili, who was killed allegedly by a sniper while attending a flag ceremony in the municipal hall in July 2018. (SunStar Philippines)