GMA keep hands off probe on Cinco killing

President Arroyo yesterday said that she will not interfere with the investigation of the ambush-murder of Commission on Elections (Comelec) Director Velma Cinco, chief of the Education and Information Department (EID).

"I will not interfere because Comelec is an independent body," said Arroyo.

Arroyo described the death of Cinco as martyrdom for the cause of integrity and public service. "Your mother died in the performance of her duty. Her death uplifts the morality of public servants," Arroyo told the children of Cinco, during the wake held at Sta. Ana Church in Manila.

The President visited the wake and vowed that the government will do everything it can to help.

Arroyo said that the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has material evidence and will also provide Cinco’s family with security.

The grieving Cinco family yesterday said that former Comelec information director Ma. Angelina Matibag had something to do with Cinco’s murder.

In an interview over radio station dzBB, Cinco’s son Cirio said the death threats received by their mother Velma "directly came from Matibag." "Mother always talked to us everyday regarding her day at the office. And she also told us about the death threats she received from the office," said Cirio.

Cirio said that the "funniest thing" is that her mother never received them personally, but was only told about them by her staff.

The death threats were reportedly made by Matibag when Velma was out of the office during an offical meeting with other Comelec officials.

"According to her, those who heard Matibag threatening her were the staff. The threats were relayed to her by her staff. And then mother told us about those threats," said Cirio.

In a related development, Matibag said that she fears that she would be the fallguy in the murder of Cinco.

"I’m afraid that the police will come out with a fall guy. I’m warning them against harassing my people. But I am willing to submit my firearms for examination," said Matibag. – Sandy Araneta and Marichu Villanueva