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MANILA - Former Biliran Rep. Glenn Chong on Tuesday said the killing of his aide was connected to his senatorial run.

Chong said Richard Santillan was killed exactly two weeks after he filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) as a substitute.

"Nagfile po ako ng COC for senator on Nov. 26 by substitution. The next Monday, exactly 2 weeks to the date yun po pagkamatay ni Richard Santillan. It’s connected with my COC," Chong told radio DZMM.

The lawyer added that anyone could be behind the killing.

"Hindi po isang tao lang kasi pwede din po yung mga drug lords na gustong magfund ng kandidato (It was not only one person because it could be drug lords who want to fund candidates). Anybody who wants to cheat are suspects in this murder," he said.

Chong said he has several times asked Chief Supt. Edward Carranza, director of Calarbarzon Police, for evidence to support the alleged shootout that killed Santillan but they have yet to give him information.

"Magfafile po ako (ng complaint) simula ngayong Friday. Gusto ko kunin yung evidence, hindi nga po binibigay. I will go to the Ombudsman first, next week meron kaming action sa Supreme Court then bago pa po yung 2 kasong torture and murder, separate pong kaso yan," he said.

(I will file complaints starting this Friday. I want to get the evidence but they won't give it to me. I will go to the Ombudsman first, next week we have an action at the Supreme Court then the 2 separate cases of torture and murder.)

"Ang sabi ko, hindi legitimate encounter yan, may torture, may video na nagpapakita na sinet-up niyo lang yung sasakyan na patay na yung kinakapatid ko doon sa loob. Ipakita niyo sa'min yung underlying basis na legitimate operation ito."

(It was not a legitimate encounter because there was torture, a video showing they set up the vehicle in which my godbrother was already dead. Show us the underlying basis that this was a legitimate operation.)

Police claimed Santillan was killed along with a female companion in a shootout in Cainta, Rizal on December 10 after having been suspected of being part of the “Highway Boys,” a group allegedly involved in robbery, illegal drugs and murder.

Chong said his aide was on his way to give gifts to children.

"Nung gabing yun, naghahabol po siya ng gifts para sa mga bata, paglabas na po ng place na yun, dinukot siya," he said.

(He was trying to give gifts to children, as he went out of that place he was abducted.)

Chong, meanwhile, thanked President Rodrigo Duterte for his commitment to solving the murder.

• Duterte orders 'thorough' probe into slay of ex-solon's aide: Palace

"Sinabi niya (He said) until the killers and the mastermind are brought to jail. The use of the word mastermind...it means the President does not believe the version of the police. Kasi ang mastermind wala yan sa (Because the word mastermind is not in the) color of authority of police," Chong said.