Cop who Garma said bragged about mayor’s death denies hand in slay

Royina Garma and Antonio Halili
—NIÑO JESUS ORBETA / CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — A police officer who supposedly bragged to retired police colonel Royina Garma about his involvement in the killing of Tanauan, Batangas mayor Antonio Halili has denied having a hand in the hit.

During the hearing of the House of Representatives’ quad committee on Tuesday, Police Capt. Kenneth Paul Albotra denied several times that he mentioned to Garma that he was part of a team that killed Halili last July 2, 2018.

Garma confirmed that Albotra was the officer that he met in Cebu.  Albotra, on the other hand, also confirmed to Santa Rosa City Rep. Dan Fernandez that he met with Garma on July 3 to 4, 2018, but he said it was for a courtesy call.

“I remember Mr. Chair, that was Monday, ‘yon po ay assumption of office ni Ma’am Garma kaya pumunta po ako do’n, ngunit hindi po kami nakapag-usap kasi marami pong tao.  At saka pagkatapos po ng assumption niya diretso po siya sa conference room,” Albotra said.

(I remember Mr. Chair, that was Monday, that was the assumption of the office of Colonel Garma, that’s why I went there, but we were not able to talk due to the vast crowds.  And then after the assumption she went straight to the conference room.)

“Sigurado nag-usap kami Mr. Chair because ako po ay nag-courtesy call, but never did I remember saying something, anything like that Mr. Chair,” he added.

(I’m sure that we talked because I made a courtesy call, but never did I remember saying something, anything like that Mr. Chair.)

Albotra’s answer led Fernandez to remind the police officer that he is under oath.

“Captain Albotra, remember, you are under oath, if ever you are involved with this group, admit your fault right now because the time will come that the law will catch up to you.  Trust us,” Fernandez said.

But Albotra maintained that it might be Garma who is confused, answering yes when asked by Bukidnon 2nd District Rep. Jonathan Keith Flores if Garma’s claims are mere gossip.

“Yes Mr. Chair, we heard what was said earlier, it’s just gossip,” Albotra said.  “At first Mr. Chair I cannot think of any (reason) Mr. Chair, I was also shocked.”

“I thought Mr. Chair Ma’am (Garma) is just confused […] because what she admitted Mr. Chair, it’s just gossip which she changed to implicate me,” he added.

Garma, on the other hand, said it was clear that Albotra volunteered that information.

“Yes Mr. Chair, siya ang nag-volunteer, kaya hindi ko po talaga makakalimutan po kasi hindi ako updated do’n kung sino ‘yong mga namatay na politicians.  It was him who volunteered,” Garma said.

(Yes Mr. Chair, he volunteered that information, that’s why I cannot forget that because I am not updated about which of the politicians died.  It was him who volunteered to do that.)

Last October 11, when Garma delivered a tell-all testimony, Garma said a lieutenant colonel within the Philippine National Police (PNP) supposedly bragged about being involved in Halili’s killing.

During Fernandez’ turn to interpellate at that quad committee hearing, Garma admitted hearing rumors about PNP teams being behind the hit on big personalities during the past administration’s drug war — including the killing of Halili.

READ: Garma links PNP official to Batangas mayor’s assassination 

Fernandez then pressed further, asking who bragged about killing Halili.  In response, Garma said it was a certain Major Albotra of Region VII, who she said is possibly a lieutenant colonel by now.

“Major Albotra, I think he was a lieutenant colonel, he bragged about that to me before, I said ‘oh really’?  I asked ‘How did you do it?’  So he said he knows the people in the team,” Garma said.

“And they were behind the killing of Tony Halili?” Fernandez asked.

“He said he’s in the team, Mr. Chair,” Garma replied.

Last July 2, 2018, Halili was shot while his office was holding a flag raising ceremony

READ: Controversial Tanauan mayor shot during flag ceremony https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1006035/breaking-philippine-news-updates-tanauan-batangas-tony-halili-shooting

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

Eventually, investigators found the nest used by a sniper who took out Halili — located just around a hundred meters away from the site of the flag ceremony.

The assailant used the elevated portion of the area as a vantage point as he covered himself with the grass.

READ: Probers find ‘sniper’s nest’ of Mayor Halili’s killer 

Halili became known for shaming alleged drug pushers and crime offenders by parading them around the city.

READ: Duterte: I know nothing of Mayor Halili’s murder 

Former president Rodrigo Duterte previously claimed innocence over the assassination, saying it is “unfair” for his part to be linked to the killing of the local chief executive.