P.2-M reward up for arrest of village chief’s killer

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna, Philippines – A P200,000 reward has been offered for information leading to the arrest of the killer of a barangay chairman of Mataasnakahoy town in Batangas on March 2.

Senior Superintendent Arcadio Ronquillo Jr., Batangas police director, yesterday said the widow of Jacinto Gardiola and his friends raised the money.

Ronquillo said witnesses identified a certain Oliver Bukid as Gardiola’s assailant. Bukid was charged with murder last week.

Gardiola was standing in front of a car wash shop when motorcycle-riding men shot him around 6:20 a.m. A certain Pedro Magracia, Bukid’s alleged accomplice, was killed when Gardiola managed to shoot back.

Police said the killing of Gardiola should be considered a case of election-related violence, and asked the Commission on Elections to include Mataasnakahoy on the election watchlist.