Barangay head faces raps for ex-employee's murder

MANILA, Philippines – Police filed yesterday murder charges against a barangay chairman for his alleged involvement in his former secretary’s death in Tondo, Manila Thursday night.

Witnesses said Saturnino Grutas, 42, chairman of Barangay 101, Zone 8, District 1, supposedly gave orders to assassinate Rogelio Maco, 56, a former barangay secretary of Katuparan, Tondo, according to Manila Police District homicide section head Chief Inspector Alberto Peco.

Police said Grutas and Maco had been at odds following the accusations of graft and corruption by both camps. Grutas reportedly fired and sued Maco, while the former also did the same to the barangay leader. Their cases are pending in separate courts.

Police said Maco and his wife, members of an urban poor group, had just finished preparing for a rally when they noticed several barangay tanods following them on their way home.

One of the tanods, identified as Elton Santuile, alias “Bordado,” allegedly shot Maco in the head in front of his wife. The victim was declared dead on arrival at the Tondo Medical Center.

Witnesses said prior to the shooting, Grutas was seen talking with his tanods, including the gunman. Maco’s wife told police she was sure that there was no one interested in the killing of her husband except Grutas.

Grutas vehemently denied the accusations and said he could not have ordered Maco’s killing since their cases are nearing resolution by the courts.

Police failed to find Santuile at his residence and he remains at large. – Nestor Etolle