Slain Talisay City vice mayor laid to rest

MANILA, Philippines - Vice Mayor Florencio Manimtim Jr. of Talisay City, Batangas was laid to rest on Tuesday, nearly two weeks after he was waylaid in Pasay City.

Chief Inspector Joey Goforth, head of the Pasay City police investigation unit, said Manimtim was interred at the Talisay City cemetery at around noon Tuesday.

Goforth said the interment was peaceful, but the family still had to give a statement.

Manimtim was shot thrice while walking toward his car at the corner of Harbor Drive and Sunset Avenue in Pasay City last Dec. 19.

The gunman then walked to a motorcycle driven by an accomplice, and they sped away toward EDSA. Security guards tried but failed to catch them.

Manimtim was reportedly scheduled to meet with his lawyers on a pending election protest when he was attacked.

Manimtim died while undergoing treatment at the San Juan de Dios Hospital.

Senior Superintendent Federico Castro Jr., head of Task Group Talisay, said there were no significant developments in the case yet. Politics is still eyed as the motive behind the attack.

Castro said they have already tapped the help of the Australian police to “enhance” the video footage taken at the crime scene to help them identify the gunman.