Quezon City: Authorities have arrested two of the six suspects in the killing of an official of the House of Representatives, the Philippine National Police (PNP) announced on Tuesday. Mauricio Pulhin, 63, chief of technical staff at the House Committee on Ways and Means, was gunned down by two unidentified men at his daughter's birthday party in Quezon City on June 15.

According to Philippines News Agency, in a press briefing held at Camp Crame, PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said 'Balong' and 'Jason,' the supposed middleman and lookout, respectively, were arrested in separate operations in Quezon City and Caloocan on Monday. Based on the extrajudicial confession of Balong, Fajardo said the suspects were hired for PHP30,000 by a live-in couple over an alleged personal grudge.

The victim was reportedly planning to file charges of qualified theft and estafa against the masterminds, who were former employees of his business. 'So, nagpahanap po sa kanilang assistant kung sino ang puwedeng pumatay. Hindi pa sila binabayaran hanggang ngayon (So, they asked their assistant to find someone who could kill him. They have not yet been paid up to now),' Fajardo said.

Based on backtracking of CCTV footages, she said the gunman and Jason went to Balong's house to hide and change clothes after the shooting. Fajardo said the authorities are now looking for the two unnamed live-in partners alleged to be the masterminds, their assistant 'Christian' and the gunman.

The arrested suspects are in the custody of the Quezon City Police District to face murder charges.