By BEN SERRANO
Correspondent
SAN Francisco, Surigao del Norte–Relatives of a murdered candidate for town councilor here called for justice even as they prepared to bring the late politician to his final resting place today.
The victim, Ernesto Retorta, was a former barangay chairman and town councilor, and a father of eight.
Retorta, 55, was shot dead by still unidentified gunmen while on his way home after attending a Valentine’s party here on Valentine’s Day.
Retorta’s nephew Alfredo said two men in black jackets and on a motorcycle shot his uncle. He said he could not identify the killers because there was a blackout and it was dark.
His widow Marilyn called on President Aquino to ensure that the killers are brought to justice. She said her husband was Aquino’s partymate, and was seeking a seat in the town council.
Senior Insp. Marcelino Reyes Gavina Jr. said investigators have yet to conclude if Retorta’s killing was politically motivated.
Gavina said there were other angles being looked into like quarrying operations which Retorta strongly opposed.
The victims’ relatives however said they suspected that the killing was really politically motivated.
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