The former director of the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) has been tagged as the alleged “mastermind” in the murder of Allain Muller of Barangay Cuartero, Jaro district in January last year.

Citing the testimony of one of the suspects, Police Corporal Joseph Andrew Joven, former Iloilo assemblyman Salvador “Buddy” Britanico accused Colonel Martin Defensor of involvement in the controversial twin killings on January 19, 2020.

Defensor, who currently serves as Police Regional Office (PRO-6) chief of staff, was the ICPO director when Muller, a suspected drug personality, and Britanico’s son, businessman Delfin, were killed.

“Yes, si Colonel Defensor [had] a participation. As a matter of fact, he was the principal, the mastermind in the killing of Muller. Pero sa bata ko ‘ya, wala siya sang participation in the actual killing,” Britanico said in an interview over radio Akson Radyo-Iloilo.

“Ang iya participation, after the killing…nga ginahatagan niya si [Police Corporal Joseph Andrew] Joven kag sang mga… by implication, ang iban nga mga akusado, sang suporta kag ginapalikaw-likaw niya ang imbestigasyon,” he continued.

In a statement, the PRO-6 said it is also after the truth in all these allegations being hurled against its official.

Britanico said he already filed criminal charges before the Prosecutor’s Office against Defensor.

“Let the investigation of the prosecution office roll so that we will all know the truth,” the PRO-6 said.

“We welcome the filing of the case since it would be the best venue where the respondents could also present their sides and defend themselves,” it added.

According to the PRO-6, the Britanico family has not yet filed any administrative complaint relative to their allegations, “which will be our basis to initiate investigation.”

“Nevertheless, whatever would be the findings of the prosecution and later on the court, we would be implementing that decision. For now, let these concerned personnel answer the complaints filed against them,” it added.

PRO-6 assured that it “we will not tolerate any misdeed of our personnel.”

“Respect for human rights and upholding the rule of law has always been our priority in the performance of our duties,” it stressed. IMT