Vice mayor charged over woman’s slay

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines — A municipal vice mayor in Lanao del Sur and his companions have been charged in connection with the fatal shooting of a woman and the wounding of another in Initao, Misamis Oriental last month.

The charges against the respondent stemmed from the murder of Jovy Reyna Esquillo, 31, whose body was found in Barangay Tubigan on Feb. 16, and the wounding of her companion.

Brig. Gen. Christopher Abrahano, Northern Mindanao police director, said the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor in Misamis Oriental has found probable cause to charge the vice mayor.

Authorities withheld the identities of the suspects pending the issuance of arrest warrants by the court.

Abrahano said the wounded victim positively identified the vice mayor as the man who shot her and Esquillo.

“The filing of charges is a significant step toward obtaining justice. Once warrants are issued, we will immediately arrest the suspects,” Abrahano said.

Initial investigation showed the women were last seen on Feb. 15 boarding a sport utility vehicle in Barangay Aplaya in Jasaan town.

The following day, Esquillo was found dead with a gunshot to the head.

Probers expressed belief that the victim was killed somewhere else and was dumped in Barangay Tubigan to mislead investigators.

Esquillo’s companion, although wounded, managed to escape and seek help at a police checkpoint in the town of Libertad.