ILOILO City – Criminal charges of murder and illegal possession of firearms were filed against Councilor Plaridel Nava’s two security aides who were suspects in the death of the councilor’s cousin Mercedes Nava.
The charges were filed late on Tuesday at the Iloilo City Prosecutor’s Office.
Roy Delos Reyes, 42, and brother Rey Julius, 34, were detained at the police station in Mandurriao.
Mercedes was shot by two motorcycle-riding masked men in Barangay Calajunan, Mandurriao on Jan. 4 – a style of assassination similar to what were done to several drug personalities here.
According to Senior Superintendent Martin Defensor, the police have a “strong case” against the brothers who were arrested at Nava’s office at city hall on Jan. 7.
“Our witnesses positively identified the suspects. We hope the cases will prosper,” said Defensor.
Investigators, however, were still at a loss on the crime’s motive.
The Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) already ruled out the illegal drugs angle.
Mercedes, 65, was not a drug suspect and had no drug record, said Superintendent Joem Malong, PRO-6 spokesperson.
To solve the crime, Councilor Nava said, the police must also look into Mercedes’ background.
She faced many court cases such as estafa and violation of Batas Pambansa 22 (issuing bouncing checks), said the councilor./PN
