By Mar Gabriel
Eagle News Service
Philippine National Police chief Director General Oscar Albayalde on Thursday, July 5, said Tanauan, Batangas Mayor Antonio Halili was involved in a land dispute with a former general before he was killed.
“Medyo matagal tagal na rin. I just don’t know kung taon na yan pero it’s going on actually before the incident. Ibig sabihin nangyari na long before na nangyari itong shooting,” Albayalde said.
Albayalde, however, could not say if the former general was from the military or the police.
He also clarified the former general could not be labeled as a person of interest so far.
“Not necessarily kasi motive palang ang tinitingnan natin. It’s not kahit na person of interest kasi marami tayong motive na tinitingnan dito, hindi lang naman yun,” he said.
Halili was shot as he was presiding over a flag-raising ceremony on Monday, July 2.
He died as he was being rushed to the hospital.
Earlier, the Special Investigation Task Group looking into the case said they had three persons of interest so far.
Two, it said, were related to the angle of illegal drugs, while the other was not.
Police have said it was likely the “not so confident” gunman was accompanied.
Probers are also looking at three possible motives in Halili’s killing: politics, his shame campaign and his alleged involvement in illegal drug activities.
President Rodrigo Duterte has said Halili was included in his narco-list.
