5 suspects in killing of ex-congressman, aides arrested

The Philippine National Police has arrested five suspects in connection with the killing of former Batangas Rep. Edgar Mendoza and his aides.

PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) acting director Police Brig. General Joel Coronel declined, however, to name the suspects.

“In order not to prejudice the ongoing investigation, we keep it under wraps,” he said.

Coronel pointed out, further, that the suspects are assisted by lawyers.

‘Undergoing investigation’

Mendoza, his driver Ruel Ruiz and bodyguard Nicanor Mendoza were found dead in a car that was found burning on Jan. 9 in Barangay San Francisco, Tiaong, Quezon province.

The victims had been stabbed to death before the perpetrators apparently tried to dispose of the bodies and the evidence by setting the victims’ vehicle on fire.

DNA tests conducted by the PNP crime laboratory confirmed the identities of the bodies.Coronel said the suspects are “undergoing investigation,” adding that, “We are in the process of gathering additional evidence.”“We will also be consulting with the Department of Justice prosecutors on this account so we would be able to file a strong case against these suspects,” Coronel said.