Family of Edgar Mendoza seek justice for ex-solon's killing

The family of former congressman Edgar Mendoza is seeking justice following his killing in Tiaong, Quezon, even as they expressed worries over their security.

The family said they know why anyone would want to have Mendoza killed, according to a Balitanghali Weekend report by Raffy Tima.

Mendoza also served as a Bureau of Immigration commissioner.

"We are asking for justice, siyempre tapos nananawagan po kami sa awtoridad na sana matapos agad ang imbestigasyon," said Mendoza's son.

The family requested that their faces be concealed and would not disclose details of Mendoza's wake.

"Natural lang naman 'yun sa nangyari na may konting concern kami para sa aming security," Mendoza's son added.

Mendoza, a former congressman representing Batangas’ second district was found on Thursday inside a burning car, together with two others believed to be his driver and bodyguard.

They were all found seated in the backseat of the vehicle.

The victims' families identified their relatives through the recovered documents, a ring and other belongings found on the burned bodies.

The NBI has conducted DNA testing to positively identify the victims' identities.

The NBI added that Mendoza became a private lawyer and a land broker after his retirement.

The agency has yet to determine how Mendoza was killed, as the autopsy report had yet to be completed.

The NBI, however, suspected that the victims were killed in another area then brought to Tiaong to be burned. A barangay CCTV footage revealed that the victim's vehicle passed the scene of the crime at around 11:30 p.m. of Wednesday.

"We are still backtracking 'yung mga CCTV footage na dinaanan nila pati 'yung dinaanan ng mga perpetrators na pagdadala du'n ng bangkay at pagsunog. Mino-monitor din namin ang movement niya prior na mawala siya," said Christopher Hernandez, Supervising Agent, NBI Region 4A.

The NBI added that two people on a motorcycle had accompanied the vehicle as it entered Barangay San Francisco.

"Ni-review po namin 'yung CCTV ng dinaanan, ang entry at exit points sa Barangay San Francisco... naka-single na motor po kasi eh, isa ang nagmaneho papunta roon. Paglabas, motor na lang na dalawa ang sakay—isang passenger, isang driver," said NBI-Quezon head agent Dom Villanueva III.

Authorities are also determining the identity of the people Mendoza was supposed to meet in Calamba, Laguna, and whether the meet-up proceeded. — DVM, GMA News