BREAKING: 5 suspects in murder of ex-solon now under CIDG’s custody

MANILA, Philippines — Five suspects in the killing of former Batangas Rep. Edgar Mendoza have been taken under police custody, the head of Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) said Wednesday.

“We have several persons under custody now who we believe are connected in the killing of former Congressman Edgar Mendoza. They are undergoing investigation as of the moment and we are on the process gathering additional evidence… There are five of them in custody,” PNP-CIDG chief Brig. Gen. Joel Coronel told reporters in an ambush interview.

Coronel said the PNP-CIDG has already coordinated with Department of Justice prosecutors for the filing of criminal charges against the suspects.

The names of the suspects and their relation to the victims will be released “in due time” as investigation into the case is still ongoing, Coronel said.

In another interview, PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac said the suspects were arrested in the Calabarzon area by operatives of PNP-CIDG.

“Yung location kung saan naaresto yung mga suspects, diyan lang din sa Region IV-A. Hindi lang natin maibigay pa ang detalye, antabayanan lang natin ang update ng PNP-CIDG (Suspects were arrested somewhere in Region IV-A. We can’t give details yet as we await the update from PNP-CIDG),” he said.

Banac also noted that the suspects’ motive behind the killing is still under investigation.

Mendoza was found dead inside his car which was set on fire in Tiaong, Quezon province on Jan. 9. Police also discovered two other bodies, who were believed to be Mendoza’s driver, Ruel Ruiz and his escort, Nicanor Mendoza.