4 persons of interest eyed in killing of Batangas village chairman

STO. TOMAS CITY, Batangas — Authorities are  investigating four persons of interest in the killing of Dennis Austria, chairperson of Barangay Sta. Anastacia in Sto. Tomas City, Batangas, including a person who allegedly had a property dispute with the victim, police said.

Police Lt. Col. Philip Aguilar, spokesperson for the Special Investigation Task Group Austria, said the dispute had led to legal proceedings and that the person of interest had allegedly threatened Austria’s life.

Persons of interest are people involved in an investigation but are not officially suspects.

Investigators have obtained closed-circuit television footage showing a multipurpose vehicle near My Homes Subdivision, where the victim lived, on the night before the killing.

The vehicle was seen dropping off a motorcycle that the suspects allegedly used to flee after carrying out the attack, Aguilar said.

The task group has flagged the vehicle’s license plate and is coordinating with the Land Transportation Office to identify its registered owner, he added.

Austria was shot several times  on Thursday morning while sweeping by the gate of his home in My Homes Subdivision.

Sto. Tomas City Mayor Arth Jhun Marasigan has offered a P200,000 reward for information that could lead to the identification of those behind the killing.