PCapt. Kenneth Paul Albotra, the police officer implicated in the assassination of Tanuan, Batangas Mayor Antonio Halili, denied any involvement in the said killing.
"Never did I remember saying something like that," Albotra said during the ninth hearing of the House quad-committee on Tuesday.
On October 11, former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) General Manager Royina Garma testified before the quad-committee panel, claiming that the assassination of Mayor Antonio Halili was planned and executed by a team of police officers as part of the previous administration's war on drugs campaign, adding that one police officer even bragged about it.
Garma mentioned that she met Albotra in Cebu, a meeting that Albotra confirmed, although he clarified that it was a courtesy call.
"That was Monday, ‘yon po ay assumption of office ni Ma’am Garma kaya pumunta po ako do’n, ngunit hindi po kami nakapag-usap kasi marami pong tao. At saka pagkatapos po ng assumption niya diretso po siya sa conference room,” Albotra recounted.
Santa Rosa City Representative Dan Fernandez reminded Albotra that he is under oath, implying that he is obligated to tell the truth.
Albotra upheld his stance that he never discussed any alleged assassination with Garma, suggesting that such claims could merely be gossip.
Albotra asserted that he was in Cebu at the time of the assassinations of Halili and Perez.
Meanwhile, Garma maintained that Albotra willingly provided her with that information during their conversation.
"Makokonsensya rin po ‘yan because I treated him very well when I was the city Director of Cebu City. In fact, may mga operations din ‘yung mga tao niya na he needs my intervention and I gave my full support," Garma said.
“Now, if he will sue me, I will face it. But I can look straight in his eyes. I am not lying, and he’s lying and he’s coward to mention the names na alam niya kung sino talaga ang tumira kay Mayor Halili. He knows it," she added.
Furthermore, the joint committee panel cited Albotra for contempt following a motion by Abang Lingkod Party-list Representative Stephen Paduano.
