Another Moises Padilla councilor surrendered to the authorities, Friday, August 27, after a warrant for his arrest was issued early this year.
Councilor Vincent Garcia was among the town officials tagged in the killing of Moises Padilla Councilor Jolomar Hilario in March 2019.
Garcia, who took a leave from his work at the municipal council, yielded to the police to clear his name.
This came four days after Councilor Jose Morito Flores, Quintin Remo barangay captain Felisa Villaflor and her husband, Jonathan, who were also tagged in the murder of Hilario, also surrendered at the town police station where they are now detained.
Garcia is the nephew of Moises Padilla Mayor Ella Garcia-Yulo and the brother of the late Councilor Michael Garcia, who died in an ambush together with Yulo’s brother.
Also linked to the murder of the town official are Vice Mayor Adrian Villaflor and Councilor Jimmie Don Plaza. Both are still on leave.
In February this year, La Carlota City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Judge Cyclamen Jison Fernandez issued a warrant for their arrest.
The mayor was also tagged in the killing of Hilario but there was no warrant issued against her because she was in jail, along with her husband, when the alleged meeting of the respondents to plot the killing took place.
Yulo said they have nothing to do with the killing of the official and that they were only implicated by her political opponent.
Garcia, who was not yet a councilor at that time, was working as a chef when Hilario was murdered.
All town officials are detained at the police station and are still waiting for their commitment orders from the court.*