Lapu traffic chief stable after shooting

CEBU, Philippines - The chief of the Lapu-Lapu City traffic group is now in stable condition after he was shot in the back while going up the City Traffic Management Systems office last Saturday night.

Mayor Paz Radaza said CTMS chief Frank Brazil was able to answer questions of his doctor yesterday.

"In fact, ang questions sa doktor, siya man natubag... it came out nga okay na siya," Radaza said.

"After sa second nga x-ray, gikinahanglan pa siya og obserbahan," she added.

Brazil also underwent a CT scan.

Radaza said she is convinced that the shooting had something to do with Brazil's ongoing campaign against colorum vehicles and not with his recent decision to dismiss his men who tested positive of illegal drugs.

Last month, the city government and CTMS started working with the Land Transportation Office (LTO) about a city-wide campaign against colorum vehicles. Several tricycles and motorcycles have been confiscated, especially in Barangay Basak.

Brazil reportedly carried out the operation along the barangay's Cebu Light Industrial Park.

PO3 Luisito Ernie of the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office-Homicide Section, two motives are being considered in the investigation: Brazil's campaign against colorum vehicles and the dismissal of his personnel.

But Radaza downplays the second motive, saying she was the one who ordered to dismiss the personnel.

"Ako ma'y mi-order ato nga itaktak kay nag-positive sa drugs," she said.

Radaza said she has sought the help of Police Chief Supt. Noel Taliño, chief of the Police Regional Office - 7 and Police Senior Supt. Rey Lyndon Lawas in the investigation.

"I talked with RD Taliño and Col. Lawas to look through this matter," Radaza said.

Brazil's duties will be handled temporarily by his assistant, Mariano Napule, and Andy Berame of the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office. (FREEMAN)