Slain mayor Halili cited ex-General's plan to oppose him in polls

Senator Panfilo Lacson on Saturday said that slain Tanauan City, Batangas Mayor Antonio Halili had mentioned to him that a former General he had dispute with has plans to run as mayor.

"Tama 'yun maski nung buhay pa si Halili nababanggit na niya sa amin 'yun. Isang retired General na planong labanan siya sa eleksyon," Lacson said in a radio interview.

"Tama rin na ikonsidera ng PNP (Philippine National Police)," he added.

PNP chief Director General Oscar Albayalde earlier said that Halili, who was gunned down last July 2 during a flag raising ceremony by still unknown assailant, had a dispute with a “former General.”

"'Yan ang nabanggit ni mayor Halili. Natatandaan ko ikinuwento niya actually medyo may pag-aalala siya nun kasi alam niyang may kapasidad ang dating heneral," Lacson said.

The senator added that Halili revealed to him the identity of the former General.

"Oo, in fairness to him 'di tamang banggitin."

Lacson earlier revealed that the family of slain Tanauan mayor suspects government hand in the killing of their patriarch.

The senator said he knew Halili even when he was still a captain and he was aware of the local executive’s other activities but none of them includes involvement in illegal drugs. —Ted Cordero/LBG, GMA News