Politics eyed behind murder of Bislig mayor’s wife

By Erwin M. Mascariñas
Correspondent .

Butuan City — Authorities believe that political interest could be behind the the killing of the wife of Bislig City Mayor Librado Navarro Saturday evening along the Boulevard in Bislig City.

“We have reasons to believe that the shooting of Carmencita Navarro, is politically motivated, as the wife has been reported to run as mayor for the 2019 election,” said Insp. Ephraim Megreño, chief of police, Bislig City Police Office.

Police report indicates that the 62-years-old victim was shot to the head at around 6:15 pm along the viewing area of the Boulevard and was declared dead at around 7:12 pm at the Bislig District Hospital.

Megreño added that barely two months ago, he had a meeting with the mayor together with his wife regarding the death threats they have been receiving.

The shooting incident took place while the Carmencita Navarro was busy supervising the decoration for the boulevard complex along the “I Love Buslig” sign since several guests are visiting the city for the 3rd International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements today, where hundreds of delegates from the different parts of the Philippines and other parts of Asia are expected to arrive.

Megreño added that “we have a person in our custody who was arrested in Barreda Street corner Abarca Street in Barangay Mangagoy, Bislig City after we established operation less than four hours after the shooting. Confiscated from the posession of the suspect is a cal .45 with serial number 184273 Colt Combat Commander pistol.”

The Bislig City Police Office identified the individual as Porceso Canal Jr, 43, guard at the Paper Industries Corporation of the Philippines building.

Authorities are still determining the involvement of the apprehended suspect with the crime as laboratory results from the Scene of the Crime Operative have yet to validate the paraffin and gunpowder residue tests.