Gov to ask Comelec to declare Laguna election hotspot

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna, Philippines – Laguna Gov. Jeorge Estregan Ejercito said yesterday he would ask the Commission on Elections to declare the province as an area of concern following the killing of San Pablo City Councilor Edgardo Adajar and his bodyguard.

Ejercito said he and San Pablo City Mayor Vicente Amante have contributed P500,000 and P300,000, respectively, as reward for information leading to the arrest of the suspects.

Meanwhile, police released yesterday the artist’s sketches of the two suspects in the killing of Adajar and his driver-bodyguard, Rolando Leonardo, in Barangay Concepcion, Wednesday afternoon.

Witnesses described Adajar’s gunman as between 35 to 40 years old, 5’4” in height, slim and with fair complexion. The other suspect is between 40 to 45 years old, 5’8” in height, medium-built and with dark complexion.

Senior Superintendent Bernabe Balba, regional director of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, said the suspects were believed to be guns-for-hire.

Investigators are eyeing politics, illegal drug and gambling as possible motives for the crime.