Wait for resolution of Los Baños mayor’s murder – Palace

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang yesterday urged Vice President Leni Robredo and the family of slain Los Baños Mayor Caesar Perez to wait for the results of the investigation on the killing and assured them that authorities are working to identify the perpetrators.

In her weekly radio program, Robredo expressed alarm over the killing of Perez, noting that the incident happened inside a municipal hall compound, an area that is supposed to be secured.

She said the killings have become brazen and commonplace.

Perez’s eldest son Aldous, meanwhile, has expressed belief that the killing may be related to his father’s inclusion in President Duterte’s narco list of officials allegedly involved in the illegal drug trade.

Aldous said his father had submitted statements to different law enforcement agencies to clear his name.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said the state has the obligation to probe killings and to provide remedies to victims.

“That is being done here in our country because (Interior) Secretary (Eduardo) Año has ordered an investigation on the killing of the Los Baños mayor,” Roque said at a press briefing.

“So my message to Vice President Robredo, wait for the investigation because it is not something completed in an instant. The police is undertaking steps to identify the killers before reading a conclusion,” he added.

Roque also challenged Robredo to prove that the government had a hand in the killing.

“We are all lawyers. If she has evidence that the government is behind the killing, she should file a case,” he said in Filipino.

Roque said Duterte would ensure that authorities handling the case would do their job because he is the main “executioner” of the law.

“It’s a live criminal investigation, hayaan na po muna natin matapos ang criminal investigation,” he added.

Roque, nevertheless, insisted that the President’s narco list did not come out of thin air.

“From what I know, there is information there although it was uncertain if it would stand in court... It has basis but at the same time, cases have not been filed because the case buildup is still ongoing,” he said.

Getaway vehicle

Investigators have recovered the video footage of the closed-circuit television camera that captured the getaway vehicle of the suspects in the killing of Perez on Thursday night.

Sources said that at least five CCTV cameras were installed near the municipal hall and are now in the custody of police authorities and National Bureau of Investigation probers.

Among the footage were the movement of the gunman and the white L-300 van used by the suspects, prober said.

The gunman was also spotted at around 9 a.m. roaming at the municipal hall until evening, waiting for the arrival of the mayor last Thursday.

Another footage showed the mayor using his cell phone, apparently talking with somebody and walking alone with no bodyguards toward the receiving area inside the municipal hall when he was shot by a lone gunman who later escaped in the van.

Investigators said the cell phone of Perez was reported missing.