Former Iloilo prosecutor slain in home

ILOILO CITY, Philippines—A former prosecutor was killed inside his home in Barangay San Pedro, Jaro District, on Wednesday, police said Thursday.

The bloodied remains of Arsenio Villalobos Jr., 50, was found by his 70-year-old mother Trinidad around 7 p.m., said Senior Supt. Marietto Valerio, Iloilo City police director, in a telephone interview on Thursday.

Valerio said Villalobos had several injuries, including a fatal wound in the head, believed to be from hammer blows.

He said the hammer and a kitchen knife were found beside the victim but investigators ruled out suicide.

“It’s highly improbable that he will use a hammer to kill himself,” Valerio said.

Investigators tagged the victim’s uncle and housemate, Ramon Ocampo, as a suspect after he could not be located.

Witnesses have told investigators that they heard a commotion inside Villalobos’ house hours before the victim was found.

Valerio said they were eyeing a property dispute as the probable motive behind the killing.