Murder suspect works as Malabon pol's aide?

Manila, Philippines - The alleged killer of a Mandaluyong businessman is reportedly working as a security escort for a Malabon politician, sources said yesterday.

Marlon Marquina, a former Malabon city government employee, has been charged with murder along with Malabon City administrator Benjamin Villacorta for the killing of Michael Buquid Jr. on June 20, 2011. While Villacorta surrendered to ity poice chief Senior Superintendent Ferdinand Ampil Tuesday, Marquina remains at large.

Sources said Marquina is no ordinary security aide but a “trusted” man of the politician.

The case against him and Villacorta was filed with the Malabon Regional Trial Court Branch 74 by Department of Justice assistant state prosecutor Ferdinand Fernandez, who recommended that the suspects not be allowed to post bail.

Ampil said Friday that Villacorta would be turned over to the Malabon City Bureau of Jail Management and Penology once he receives a commitment order from the court.

A pedicab driver who witnessed the killing identified Marquina as the man who shot Buquid, while the Northern Police District traced shells from the crime scene to a gun owned by Marquina.

Buquid’s widow told the National Bureau of Investigation that her husband, owner of 20th Pharma Trade in Mandaluyong City, was in the middle of a P50-million business transaction with the Malabon City government the day he was killed. She said Buquid was supposed to meet Villacorta and Marquina that day.