‘Suspect’ in Tuburan killing falls

CEBU, Philippines - A former barangay captain was arrested in relation to the ambush of Rene Cangmaong, a rebel returnee and an identified supporter of Tuburan, Cebu Mayor Democrito "Aljun" Diamante, in a hot pursuit operation Thursday dawn in the town's Barangay Monte Alegre.

Operatives of the Regional Special Operations Group-7 of the Regional Intelligence Division-7 and of the Provincial Intelligence Branch of the Cebu Provincial Police Office said they also recovered several firearms from Luduvico Oroquero, 54, when they arrested him.

Past 1 a.m. on Wednesday, Cangmaong was with the other supporters when ambushed by at least three persons that resulted to his death.

CPPO Director Clifford Gairanod said that after receiving the report on the incident, he immediately sent PIB operatives to track the suspects.

He said at past 3 a.m. yesterday, authorities arrested Oroquero, who was believed to be part of the group that ambushed Cangmaong, and seized from him a carbine rifle, a shotgun, a .45 pistol and ammunition for the .45 pistol and the shotgun.

Oroquero was a former barangay captain of Monte Alegre.

Gairanod said Cangmaong was a rebel returnee so they suspected that the perpetrators were also rebel returnees who may have been hired by someone to kill him.

Cangmaong was a cousin of Diamante and was one of his political leaders.

Gairanod said they are currently coordinating with the Armed Forces of the Philippines Central Command to help maintain peace and order in the area and possibly arrest the perpetrators.

Meanwhile, Chief Superintendent Patrocinio Comendador, Jr., Police Regional Office-7 director, said a witness has linked Oroquero to the incident but he could not say if the suspect is a member of a private armed group.

Oroquero, on the other hand, denied any involvement in the ambush, adding that he will answer the allegations before the court.

But as a result of the incident, both One Cebu Party and the Cebu for Duterte Movement asked the Commission on Elections-7 to transfer five high ranking police officials in the region and province who are allegedly using their personnel as "armed goons" to advance the candidacy of Liberal Party (LP) candidates. 

In a one page letter to Comelec-7 dated May 5, lawyer Rex Fernandez of the Duterte-Garcia Legal Team named the five police officials as Superintendent George Ylanan, Regional Special Operations Group (RSOG) chief; Superintendent Rex Derilo, Intelligence head at PRO-7; Superintendent Marvin Sanchez, Regional Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operating Team (RAIDSOT) head; '''Superintendent Gairanod, Cebu Provincial Police Office; and Supt. Rodolfo Albutra, chief of the Provincial Intelligence Branch (PIB).

Fernandez said these officials used force in invading Wednesday night the house of a male campaign leader of Daphne Lagon, the One Cebu mayoral candidate "without search warrant" and "planted" three firearms.

"They are acting as legal armed goons of the Liberal Party," he said.

He also alleged that these officials were involved in the 2013 elections by using "police elements as armed goons for the LP."

 "These had sown fear amongst the electorate of Tuburan, Cebu and has compromised the campaign of Ms. Lagon who has been on the lead since 1Cebu's endorsement of presidential candidate Rodrigo Duterte," he said. 

Comelec-Cebu officer-in-charge Eliseo Labaria, said Comelec could not act on the request because it needs the approval and implementation from the Camp Crame or national and regional command and even Regional Joint Security Control Center.

Comelec-7 Director Jose Nick Mendros affirmed receiving the request yesterday and he already referred it to Comendador Jr., for "determination of validity of the request."

Mendros, citing Rule 6 of Comelec Resolution 10030, said the Philippine National Police has the continuing authority to transfer officers or employees within the election period in view of the nature of their functions.

Tuburan town is one of the eight Cebu municipalities in the Election Wacthlist Areas.  —Marianne C. Nudalo, Hazel Grace T. Namit (FREEMAN)