Suspect in Samar mayor's slay charged

TACLOBAN CITY , Philippines   – Police authorities in Catbalogan, Samar yesterday formally charged one of the three suspects in the killing of the mayor of Matuguinao town.

Senior Superintendent Gil Hitosis, Region 8 deputy director for operations and head of Task Force Matuguinao, said the suspect, Herman Billeza, was tagged in the killing of 53-year-old Mayor Carlos de la Cruz and wounding of his cousin, Joel Adel, based on a police artist’s sketch.

Hitosis said Billeza had a pending case for a 2002 murder before the Calbayog City regional trial court.

“Based on our reports, he is one of the hired killers in Samar,” he said, adding that the two other suspects have yet to be identified.

Hitosis said they have not yet ruled out politics as a motive in De la Cruz’s killing last Friday night until the suspects are arrested.