All he wanted was to make a difference in the community.
Dr. Marilou Nicolas said her husband, William, was killed by a hired gunman because of the changes he instituted in the subdivision where he and his family lived.
The victim, a licensed pharmacist, was the secretary of the homeowners’ association of Commonwealth Heights Subdivision in Quezon City.
William, 63, was about to leave his house on an errand for his granddaughter’s birthday when he was shot eight times in the heart and head at 12:47 p.m. on December 5.
“We think the motive is related to problems with some homeowners and tenants who do not follow rules and regulations, and encroachment by informal settlers, as well,” Marilou, a chemistry and biochemistry professor at the University of the Philippines Manila, wrote in a letter sent to media.
Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit head Insp. Elmer Monsalve said they have no suspect in the murder so far.
“People don’t want to talk but I am sure that there were witnesses,” Marilou said, adding that her husband had no known enemies.
“My husband was a barangay councilor in Barangay Paligsahan (in Quezon City), but he never had any problems,” she said.
The family moved to Commonwealth Heights in 2012. She said William was asked to run as secretary of their homeowners’ association that had “some problematic officers.”
Marilou said the subdivision also had security issues that William tried to settle but which did not sit well with some homeowners.
She said her husband “lived a life of service” and made the ultimate sacrifice by giving up his life in defense of his principles.
The victim was president of the UP Pharmacy Alumni Association. Rima Granali