Dispute with ex-general, shame campaign eyed in Halili slay probe

“They just said it is a general. That is part of the investigation actually. The land disputes, that’s one of the motives we are looking at,” Albayalde added. (Photo: Tanauan City’s Hope/Facebook)

MANILA — A long standing grudge with a former military general and the shame campaign against criminals are among the possible motives being considered by the police in the killing of Tanauan City, Batangas Mayor Antonio Halili.

Speaking to newsmen Thursday, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Oscar Albayalde confirmed that the tiff with the unnamed military official is supposedly one of the possibilities considered as the motive behind the crime.

“Hindi ko lang sure kung ano talaga ang naging puno’t dulo nung away nila (I’m just not sure what was really the cause of their dispute),”Albayalde said, when sought to comment on reports that a row over a purchase of large piece of land in the area prompted the disagreement.

“Basta sabi nila (They just said it is a) general. That is part of the investigation actually. ‘Yung mga (The) land disputes, that’s one of the motives na tinitingnan natin (we are looking at),” Albayalde added.

The PNP chief said they are also not discounting the possibility of a retaliatory move by drug personalities affected by Halili’s shame campaign of parading drug suspects in the city plaza.

On Monday, Halili was shot dead by a still unidentified gunman during flag-raising rites at the Tanauan City Hall.