Ex-councilor charged in Los Baños mayor’s slay

LAGUNA, Philippines — Criminal charges have been filed against a former town councilor and a municipal government employee in connection with the killing of Los Baños Mayor Caesar Perez on Dec. 3.

The mayor’s youngest son, Aldous, told The STAR yesterday that a police task force created to investigate the killing filed murder charges against Norvin Tamisin and Glenn Arieta, head of the information and communication system at the Los Baños local government.

The court has yet to issue an arrest warrant.

Tamisin is said to be a long-time political rival of Perez.

Asked if their family is satisfied with the police investigation, Aldous said they respect the result, but they are waiting for the outcome of the parallel probe conducted by the National Bureau of Investigation.

”Based on the sworn statement of witnesses and circumstantial evidence, may nag-uugnay din sa involvement ng dalawang suspect,” a spokesman for the family, who refused to be identified, said.

Perez was walking toward the receiving area of the town hall building in Barangay Batong Malake when an unidentified gunman shot him several times. He suffered gunshots to the head, chest and shoulder.

The mayor had just had a massage at a spa in Barangay Baybayin when the incident occurred.

Perez previously told people close to him that he had received death threats.

He was included in President Duterte’s list of local officials linked to the illegal drug trade. The mayor had denied the allegations.

Malacañang had earlier insinuated that the killing could be politically motivated.