Taguig pols bicker anew, this time over a murder

The murder of a former Taguig City official late Friday has apparently given local political rivals a new reason to bicker.

The camp of mayoral candidate Rica Tiñga called on the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to help ensure peace and order in the city following the killing of Jeffrey Minglana, a long-time supporter who served as chief of the business permit and license office during the mayoralty of her brother Freddie Tiñga.

Minglana was ambushed by a lone gunman in front of Heaven’s Door Academy in Barangay Upper Bicutan around 5 p.m. Friday as he was heading home on a motorcycle.

In a statement on Saturday, Tiñga said the Comelec should “take cognizance of what’s happening in Taguig and take decisive action since the police is under … their control.”

When reelectionist Mayor Lani Cayetano took over in 2010, Minglana was placed on “floating status” under the city treasurer’s office.

Rica Tiñga said Minglana was a man of peace and  “a doting family man and an accomplished young professional whose only fault was his closeness to his friend and mentor, (former mayor and now) Rep. Freddie Tiñga.”

In response, the Cayetano camp said it was  “grossly irresponsible” to link the killing to politics without any proof.

“Granted that it is the election season. Still what happened to Jeff is very serious and should not be used for politicking,” said Darwin Icay, a candidate for councilor and spokesperson for the Nacionalista Party in Taguig whose members include Mayor Cayetano.

Hours after the ambush, Cayetano issued a statement condemning the killing and vowing to obtain justice for Minglana’s family.

The city police chief, Senior Supt. Art Asis, also said “it would be unfair to the victim and his family to link this to politics when we do no have any evidence yet.”

Asis said investigators had received raw information that the victim was on his way to the barangay hall prior to the killing to settle a personal dispute.