THREE accused, including a former mayor, who were implicated in the murder of a former councilor of Moises Padilla town in 2019 surrendered to Negros Occidental Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer Thursday, February 10, 2022.
Former Isabela Mayor Joselito Malabor along with village chiefs Armando Cordero and Amy Locsin of Barangays Maytubig and Sebucawan, respectively, were endorsed by Ferrer to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
Ferrer said the three and their legal counsel Jomax Ortiz communicated with him for their surrender.
A warrant of arrest was issued against the three who were charged for the murder of Councilor Jolomar Hilario.
Hilario, 51, was shot while he was sleeping at his house by at least 50 armed men.
Incumbents Vice Mayor Ian Villafor and Councilor Jimmiedon Plaza earlier surrendered to the NBI in August 2021 after they were implicated in the crime.
A month after, two other suspects, incumbent councilors Vincent Garcia and Morito Flores, also surrendered to local police and were also detained.
Mayor Ella Garcia-Yulo was also included in the charges but was cleared after it was established that she was in prison when the incident happened.
Ortiz said his clients were implicated to the murder based on the statement of star witness Joemer Pablo, who is also in jail.
Pablo later recanted his statements, saying he was only forced to implicate the suspects.
The lawyer said they believe that the cases were politically motivated, adding that they filed a motion for bail with the hearing scheduled Friday, February 11.
Ortiz is optimistic that their motion will be granted and his clients will be freed as "they are all innocent."
It can be recalled that the NPA Leonardo Panaligan Command had claimed responsibility for the killing of Hilario, whom they had accused of being a military asset.