Cops arrest 2 aides over killing of city councilor’s cousin in IloIlo

ILOILO CITY — Two staff members of an Iloilo City councilor were arrested at the Iloilo City Hall on Monday in relation to the killing of the councilor’s estranged first cousin, who had accused him of orchestrating a fake signature campaign against the city’s electric distributor.

A team of policemen from the Iloilo City Police Office arrested the staff members of councilor Plaridel Nava inside his office on the sixth floor of City Hall in relation to Friday’s killing of Mercedes “Gingging” Nava.

The councilor, who was in his office, questioned the arrest that was implemented without a warrant.

The staff members were initially identified as brothers Roy-Roy and Tata Delos Reyes, who also served as bodyguards of the councilor.

Sr. Insp. Marlon Valencia, chief of the Mandurriao District police station, told the INQUIRER that witnesses have pointed at the two as the ones who shot Mercedes.

A motorcycle-riding gunman shot dead Mercedes and her companion Erwin Fontillas while she was driving a Mitsubishi Strada at Barangay Calajunan in Mandurriao District last Friday morning.

Two other companions of the victims, who were on board the vehicle, were unhurt.

The councilor earlier denied involvement in the killing, pointing out, among others, that his cousin had publicly attacked many persons and was involved in various civil cases.

Mercedes had accused her cousin of being among those behind the gathering of fake signatures against the Panay Electric Company (Peco).  /kga