Murder case filed vs suspect in killing of Batangas assistant prosecutor

Assistant Provincial Prosecutor Alexander Sandoval Photo: Tetch Torres-Tupas

MANILA, Philippines—The Batangas Prosecutors Office filed murder case against one of the suspects in the killing of Batangas Assistant Provincial Prosecutor Alexander Sandoval.

Prosecutor General Claro Arellano confirmed Tuesday that a case for murder has been filed against Jayson Espejo Guerrero before the Batangas Regional Trial Court.

Guerrero was arrested Thursday night and executed an extra-judicial affidavit where he identified other people allegedly involved in the killing.

Sandoval was shot dead by two men on a motorcycle along a highway in Muzon village in San Luis town near the boundary of Sta. Teresita around 11 a.m. Thursday.

Meanwhile, Arellano said the other persons implicated in the killing of Sandoval – village captain Hermogenes Mendoza and his wife, former Sta. Teresita Mayor Ana Marie Mendoza, a certain Richard Briones and an alias “Toks” – will be placed for further investigation. Three of the four are still at large.

The former mayor however is under detention for illegal possession of firearms “by virtue of search warrant and therefore not proper for inquest for murder,” said Arellano in a text message Tuesday.

Arellano said the former mayor is facing a complaint for illegal possession of firearms.

The former mayor will undergo preliminary investigation for illegal possession and murder on June 21 at the Department of Justice.