Killer of PUP director charged

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) filed murder charges against a dismissed policeman and two others for the killing of a director of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) and his driver in San Pablo, Laguna last February.

The charges were filed against dismissed Police Officer 2 Cesar Villanueva, formerly assigned to the Laguna Police, and his two unidentified companions before the San Pablo Prosecutors Office, said investigating agent Alex Bautista of the NBI-National Capital Region.

Bautista said Villanueva was positively identified by at least two witnesses as one of the attackers of PUP director Efren ET Turla and his driver, Salvador "Buddy" Escanilla.

Turla and Escanilla were shot dead by the two assailants in San Pablo, Laguna. Witnesses said the van driven by Escanilla had to stop in an intersection when the gunmen suddenly approached them on both sides of the vehicle and peppered them with bullets.

Turla was then about to attend an official function of the PUP in Quezon province.

Although police reported that a traffic altercation triggered the killing, Turla’s relatives sought the help of the NBI for a thorough investigation. — Christina Mendez