MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) paid sympathies to the bereaved family of the slain Pangasinan village chief Melinda “Tonet” Morillo, and offered a reward for any information that will lead to the arrest of her assailants.
On Saturday, DILG Secretary Benjamin C. Abalos, Jr. said that he recently visited the wake of Morillo.
Police said Morillo was shot dead on Thursday by still-unidentified assailants. Her car was shot several times, causing her to suffer multiple gunshot wounds.
“I am, therefore, offering a P500,000 reward for any information that will lead to the immediate arrest of the persons behind her murder,” Abalos said in a statement.
“While the police are investigating the incident, I am offering this reward to call on all Pangasinenses and our fellow Filipinos to step forward and be instruments of justice,” he added.
According to Abalos, the public’s participation in solving the case could lead to justice and is a “clear stand and statement” that they “will never condone these senseless killings” in the country.
“While this is an isolated incident, I remind other punong barangays (barangay chairpersons) and our local officials to promptly report to the local police any concerns regarding their safety,” he said.
With the mourning of Morillo’s death is the promise to do things for her justice, the Secretary concluded.