DILG chief Año says police looking at 3 possible motives on Mayor Halili slay

Investigators are still in the “process of narrowing down” the three possible motives in the killing of Tanauan City Mayor Antonio Halili, Department of the Interior and Local Government officer in charge Eduardo Año said Wednesday.

Citing the report of the task force in charge of probing the killing of Halili in broad daylight, Año said three possible motives being looked into by the police include “politics, the shame campaign that the mayor waged in his city, and his alleged involvement in illegal drugs.”

“Sa ngayon ay patuloy pa rin ang pag-iimbestiga at pangangalap ng ebidensya ng task force para matukoy ang motibo sa likod ng krimen at agad na mahuli ang salarin,” Año was quoted as saying in a press statement.?

"We will go where the evidence will bring us," he added.

Closed-circuit television footage from the city hall and other key areas have been secured by the police, said Año.

Año said police have also obtained the testimony of the mayor’s security aides, family members, and city hall employees who were present during the flag raising ceremony. 

“We assure the public that the Calabarzon police is doing their best to get to the bottom of this case.  We will apprise you on the development of their investigation as soon as we get a good lead,” he said.

Halili was shot dead on Monday while attending the flag raising ceremony in hist city last Monday. Police have identified at least two persons of interest who are allegedly involved in illegal drugs.

A reenactment of the incident is set to be conducted on Thursday in order “to get a clear record of how the crime took place.” — RSJ, GMA News