A politician ordered the killing of Board Member Renato Malabor and there are witnesses who will testify to this, Negros Occidental Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. said yesterday.

Marañon, who refused to name the politician, said he stands by his earlier statements that the killing of Malabor was politically motivated.

Malabor and his bodyguard, Leody “Butch” Jomilla, 52, were killed by a lone gunman in Barangay Guintubdan, Isabela, on June 28.

Witnesses have issued affidavits that a politician ordered the killing of Malabor, the governor said, but refused to say if the politician is an incumbent official.

There are a lot of witnesses, their affidavits are with the prosecutor's office, but our judicial process is slow, the governor said.

“Justice delayed is justice denied,” he said, adding that when the case goes to trial, the family can also hire a private prosecutor.

Isabela Mayor Enrique Montilla Thursday said he considers himself a victim for having to bear the brunt of hatred after Marañon said the killing of Malabor was politically motivated.

Montilla, who has denied having anything to do with the death of Malabor, who was reportedly planning to run for mayor of Isabela in 2016, said that instead of just saying that the killing was politically motivated, the governor should be fair and name names.

He said the statement that the killing of Malabor was politically motivated caused people to go against him, especially on social media.

In response to Montilla's statements, Marañon said “if you are innocent you should not worry, the truth will set you free.”

The governor would not say if Vice Mayor Francis Malabor will run as mayor of Isabela against Montilla, who has announced that he will seek reelection.*CPG

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