New video of Tanauan mayor’s shooting goes viral on social media

A new footage is going viral on social media hours after a single gunshot killed Tanauan, Batangas Mayor Antonio Halili on Monday.

At the 0:44 mark of the video which is about two minutes long, Halili is seen trying to run away after being shot in the chest, to the shock of the people around him.

Authorities from the Tanauan City Police and the Philippine National Police Regional Office (PRO) 4-A said they have seen the video shared by the Tanauan City Information Office but not the one posted by Most Wanted Criminals.PH.

The footage appears to be from a closed circuit television (CCTV), although it is not yet clear where the video came from, who owns it, and who released it.

Also, while the gunman and the path of the bullet cannot be seen in the video, it was evident that Halili was shot in front, and not at the back.

Video will be used in investigation

In an interview with Inquirer.net on Monday, PRO 4-A Director Chief Supt. Edward Carranza said the videos will be used by the special investigation group, which has been initiated to resolve the case immediately.

“On-going po ang Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) Halili.  Yan po ang tinitignan ng SITG, lahat ng may CCTV, irereview, pag-aaralan kung ano ang makikita sa CCTV,” Carranza said.

According to Tanauan City Police Chief Supt. Renato Mercado, he has not seen the video as he was just coming from a conference on the case.

He also said that Halili has not relayed any threat against him in their previous conversations.

“Nagkakausap rin kami paminsan-minsan pero wala siyang nabanggit na threat o anumang banta sa kanyang buhay,” Mercado said in a separate interview.

“Nakausap ko na ang kanyang mga anak, Nasa state of shock pa rin sila eh, wala pa rin silang masabi,” he explained.  /vvp