Murder raps filed vs suspects in Negros politician’s slay

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines – Charges were filed against two suspects in the murder of Negros Occidental 5th District Board Member Renato Malabor and his bodyguard Leody Jomilla.

This was confirmed by Police Senior Superintendent Samuel Nacion, officer-in-charge of the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office. Nacion had already submitted the documentary requirements and evidence to Provincial Prosecutor’s Office at the Bacolod City Hall of Justice, on Wednesday, July 29.

The 4 witnesses, including a minor, submitted their affidavits before the provincial prosecutor. 

Present in the submission of the evidence were Malabor’s wife Aracelli and brother Hernani. He said that the prosecutor took time to evaluate the evidence, that is why they were not able to file it on time. Malabor and Jomilla were shot dead outside a cockpit in Barangay Guintubhan, Isabela, June 28.

Nacion refused to name the suspects. Seven of them have already been identified, while 5 remain unnamed. Two of the 12 suspects are already in police custody.

Nacion was tight-lipped when pressed if one of the suspects was a policeman. One of the suspects was recently apprehended in Himamaylan City.

Nacion said that the statement of the suspects and witnesses were “corroborative,” adding that one of the suspects admitted that he “participated” in the killing. There have been several leads on the whereabouts of the other suspects.

Nacion said that they already identified the mastermind but they “need more evidence and further investigation” to prove it.

Nacion refused to reveal the motive of the incident. But in a separate interview after a case conference in Iloilo Tuesday, July 28, Nacion believed that the reason was political.

Director General Benjamin Magalong of the Criminal Investigation and Detective Unit (CIDU), in a press conference in Iloilo, said that the investigation and gathering of evidence are still ongoing to make sure they have a strong case against the suspects.

“Despite the identification of the suspects and possible filing of criminal cases, this case is not yet considered as solve,” he added.

Magalong sent an investigation team here to help the task force with the investigation.

Police are offering a P2.5-million reward to those who have information on the whereabouts of the suspects. – Rappler.com