More Moises Padilla town officials have surrendered to the authorities after they were tagged in the killing of a councilor in 2019.
Vice Mayor Adrian Villaflor and Councilor Jimmie Don Plaza went to the office of Negros Occidental Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer Wednesday, September 1, after warrants for their arrest were issued early this year. They were among the local officials linked to the killing of Councilor Jolomar Hilario in March 2019.
On August 23, 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.
Four days later, on August 27, Councilor Vincent Garcia, nephew of Mayor Ella Garcia-Yulo, also surrendered to the police after he was also linked to the death of the official.
All have maintained they had nothing to do with the incident. They also went on leave from their duties after the arrest warrant came out early this year.
Ferrer said he helped facilitate the surrender of Villaflor and Plaza, who are now in the custody of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), so they won’t be fugitives since there was a warrant for their arrest.
NBI Bacolod agent-in-charge Renoir Baldovino also confirmed that Villaflor and Plaza are in their custody. Both are seeking to file bail for their temporary liberty before the court.*