Police say town councilor angry at murdered vice mayor's treatment
By Tara Yap
ILOILO CITY — Municipal councilor Mihrel Senatin told police that he shot and killed Vice Mayor Julio Estolloso of Ibajay town in Aklan province last Aug. 8 because he was mad over his indifferent treatment.
SLAIN Vice Mayor Julio Estolloso and municipal councilor Mihrel Senatin.
“Sinasabi niya na hindi niya naman daw barilin kung wala siyang galit (He said he would not have shot the vice mayor if he was not angry),” said Ibajay police chief Police Major Rajiv Salbino following an interview with Senatin on Saturday, Aug. 9.
Police said Senatin was angry with the vice mayor because Estolloso treated him differently compared to other Sangguniang Bayan (SB) members.
Salbino told the Manila Bulletin on Sunday, Aug. 10, that the suspect felt that Estolloso was not supportive of his legislative proposals.
Senatin was also growing impatient with the Office of the SB which the vice mayor served as presiding officer.
The suspect allegedly kept coming back to secure copies of the ordinances he sponsored since he was elected in 2019.
On Friday, Senatin went to the SB office to secure copies of his ordinances where he told the victim: “Vice, ano sala ko sa imo? (Vice, what wrong have I done to you?)” before shooting Estolloso nine times with his Glock 17 pistol.
Police are still trying to establish if these work-related circumstances are a motive for Senatin to kill Estolloso.
Salbino said these circumstances may have been a big deal for Senatin even if these are considered by many people as petty.
Ibajay SB members interviewed by police said there was no indication of any problems between the vice mayor and Senatin. Everything was fine during the session last Aug. 6, two days before the crime.
Police are looking at other motives. It was learned that Senatin has family problems. His wife left him a few months ago after a major fight and his children are not staying with him.
The inquest proceedings for murder against Senatin has started.