P1M reward up for info on killers of vice mayoral bet in South Cotabato

Slain candidate Jose Osorio —Favorite FM Radio-Koronadal photo

KORONADAL CITY, SOUTH COTABATO, Philippines — A P1-million reward has been offered Tuesday to anyone who can provide information that could help authorities identify and arrest the perpetrators in the killing of Jose Osorio, an aspirant for vice mayor of Tantangan town of South Cotabato in next year’s midterm election.

“I hope this will help fast-track the investigation so justice will be served for Osorio,” said South Cotabato Rep. Peter Miguel, who offered the cash reward.

Osorio was found dead in a pool of blood in the kitchen of his house on Monday.

A Special Investigation Task Group was formed Monday by the police to identify not just the perpetators but also to unmask the brains behind the attack, said Police Col. Samuel Cadungon, the provincial police director.

According to his relatives, Osorio, 58, had no known enemies, Cadungon noted.

Citing an initial investigation, he also said that the victim had not received any death threat prior to his murder.

Possible motives

Osorio filed his certificate of candidacy last month under the Lakas-CMD party, in tandem with former Mayor Benjamin Figueroa. Both are under the slate of Miguel who is seeking reelection.

Police were looking at personal grudge or the upcoming electoral fight as possible motives for the killing of Osorio, who was believed to have been attacked on Sunday night but whose body was discovered early Monday morning.

Investigators cited an autopsy report that estimated Osorio’s death at 10 p.m. of Sunday.

Cadungon said Osorio’s wife and househelp told investigators they had not heard any gunfire around 10 p.m. on Sunday.

Six empty shells of a .45-caliber pistol were found in the crime scene, and investigators noted that Osorio’s mobile phone was missing.

Osorio was a former village chief of Barangay Bukay Pait. He served for three terms. —Edwin O. Fernandez