Loren’s ex-hubby arrested over alleged killing of aide

(Update) Former Batangas governor Jose Antonio Leviste, estranged husband of former senator Loren Legarda, has been tagged in the killing of one of his aides inside the businessman's office in Makati City past 1 p.m. Friday. Police identified the victim as Rafael de las Alas, who was found dead inside Leviste's office on the ninth floor of the LPL building in Makati City. De las Alas had a gun in his hand when police arrived at the crime scene. Leviste later complained of hypertension and was rushed to the Makati Medical Center where he was admitted in the hospital's intensive care unit. In a press conference Friday afternoon, Makati Mayor Jejormar Binay and Makati police chief Superintendent Gilbert Cruz announced the alleged involvement of Leviste in the shooting. "Governor Leviste said it was self defense. But as investigators, we check both sides before concluding if it is really self-defense, homicide or murder," Cruz said in Filipino during an interview on dzBB radio. "We have not taken Leviste's full statement yet about the shooting incident ... We believe the two had an argument," Cruz added. Radio reports said Leviste was taken into custody after calling up Binay to relay what had just happened. Although he was purportedly considered to be "under arrest," Leviste was brought to the Makati Medical Center instead of a police station for questioning. He added that they will base criminal charges against the governor, if necessary, on the report to be filed by scene of the crime (SOCO) operatives. Interviewed by GMA network, Legarda was shocked over the incident. "Its tragic. I'm in the dark to what has really happened. As you know, we have been estranged for many years now we live separate lives," Legarda said. "Nevertheless justice must be served and no one is above the law," she added. - GMANews.TV