POLICE investigating the killing of Tanauan City, Batangas Mayor Antonio Halili still have no evidence on hand except for a single piece of tissue paper found in the area where the sniper was believed to have positioned himself.
Even the bullet that killed Halili left no trace because it disintegrated upon hitting the mayor's chest, Calabarzon police director Chief Superintendent Edward Carranza said Tuesday, July 3.
"Wala po tayong na-recover d'yan na anything foreign na material except po sa tissue na hinawakan ngayon ng crime lab na baka po may characteristics doon in case mayroon po tayong suspects. As to the foreign object na galing sa baril wala po tayong nakuha d'yan malinis po yan 'yung lugar na yan," he said.
(We did not get anything except for the tissue, which is now with the crime lab. We did not get anything from the firearm that was used. The area where the assassin was believed to be hiding is clean.)
"Nag-disintegrate ang bala upon impact sa katawan so ine-establish pa rin po ng ating eksperto na ballistician. May mga na-recover na mga jacket po ng bala sa katawan ng alkalde at ine-establish po kung anong klaseng baril 'yun," he said.
(The bullet disintegrated upon impact. Our ballistics expert is still looking into it. We recovered some bullet casing from the mayor's body and we are still trying to establish the kind of firearm used.)
Halili was shot dead while singing the national anthem during Monday's flag ceremony at the city hall.
The police alleged that a sniper had taken the shot. The assassin was initially believed to have used an M14 firearm.
Carranza said the motive of the killing has yet to be determined as investigation continues.
"As to the motive ng pagpatay tinitignan pa din natun 'yung anggulo sa shame campaign, number 2 'yung sa pulitika gawa ng may intense political rivalry po diyan sa Tanauan noong 2013 election at 'yun pong aalleged involvement on illegal drugs. Diyan po tayo nakatutok sa tatlong anggulo na yan as of today," he said.
Carranza said the police will do a re-enactment of the incident to establish the line of the sight of the assassin.
He said the police are now collecting all the CCTV footages which may have captured how the suspect positioned and left his spot, a grassy area near the city hall.
Halili was known for his "walk of shame" campaign, wherein he parades crime suspects in his city as a form of punishment.
However, in 2017, the Department of Interior and Local Government withdrew his supervisory control over the police due to his alleged involvement in illegal drugs.
Halili was included in the narco-list of President Rodrigo Duterte.
Forensic expert Raquel Fortun said it is important that the police establish where the bullet came from as well as the places that the assassin could have possibly stayed.
"Maganda kung na-trace nila, apparently, kung saan nanggaling 'yung putok. And very critical 'yung area na 'yun kasi nagpunta dun 'yung shooter and marami siyang naiwan na traces ng sarili niya na pwedeng i-connect, sana ma-identify at ma-connect, sa tao na 'yun," she said.
"Trace evidence na hinahanap. Ito 'yung microscopic, hindi mo nakikita. Ito 'yung himulmol ng damit, buhok...Talagang bubutingtingin mo 'yan... Kung nandun si shooter, pa'no siya nakarating diyan? So ite-trace mo 'yan. Papano siya nakapunta, nakaalis? Kung may kalye na sinasabi, 'yung kalye rin na 'yun titingnan mo kung ano 'yung sasakyan kasi 'yung sasakyan pwede mong ma-trace sana," she added. (VoxPop Philippines)