UNA seeks justice for husband of mayor

ILOILO CITY—The United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) in Iloilo has challenged the Philippine National Police to solve the killing of the husband of a reelectionist mayor.

“We strongly condemn the killings,” said Iloilo Rep. Ferejenel Biron, UNA gubernatorial candidate.

Heavily armed men on Monday gunned down John Apura in Barangay Anabo in Lemery, Iloilo, 69 kilometers northeast of Iloilo City. The victim was the husband of UNA candidate and Lemery Mayor Ligaya Apura.

Also killed was John Apura’s aide, Rodel Lope, while another was wounded. Police have arrested Mario Cobarubias, one of the suspected assailants.

Mayor Apura said politics is behind the attack and blamed her political rival. She is running against Lowel Arban of the ruling Liberal Party and independent candidate Vicente Inion.

Biron decried police statements pointing to a land dispute as a motive in the killings. Nestor P. Burgos Jr., Inquirer Visayas