Cops no lead yet in Oyao killing probe

CEBU, Philippines - The police do not have yet the identity of the gunmen behind the killing of 64-year-old Washington Oyao, one of the "Oyao brothers" linked to illegal drug trade in Lapu-Lapu City.

Police Officer 3 Joseph Rouel Cutanda, Lapu-Lapu City Police Office Homicide Section investigator, said they remained "blank" as to the identity of the attackers since there allegedly were no witnesses when the crime took place in Sitio Malinao, Barangay Agus, last Saturday evening.

"Blanko pa mi. Mura'g, limpyo pagkahimo sa krimen kay walay na-recover sa crime scene," Cutanda said, referring to the unknown firearm used by the unidentified assailants to kill Washington.

Barbecue stalls and balot vendors are usually around the victim's store but none of them were reportedly present when the crime took place.

"Wala pud mga CCTV cameras," Cutanda said.

PO2 Dan Gacoscosim, who investigated the incident with Cutanda, said Washington was inside his sari-sari store near his residence in Sitio Malinao when the gunmen arrived and shot him in the right side of his body and in the chest.

A couple named Angelica and Albert Tampus told the police that they heard gunshots around 9:45 p.m. but both did not bother checking, thinking it was just a burst car tire.

When Angelica went to Washington's store around 11:30 p.m., however, she found him already bathed in blood inside the store.

Gacoscosim said Angelica fled towards their house and informed her husband, who then told Susan, the victim's wife, about their discovery.

Washington was rushed to the Mactan Doctors' Hopsital but he was declared dead on arrival.

Cutanda believed grudge prompted the attack, as Washington was part of the feared band of brothers tagged in the '90s as involved in illegal drug operations in the city.

"Isog na sila," Cutanda said.

Washington's brothers are Rolando, 57; Paquito, 57; Donie, 52; and former Agus barangay captain Bo Oyao.

Bo was reportedly arrested after being involved in illegal drug peddling in the past but his cases were all dismissed.

Rolando, Paquito and Donie, on the other hand, were among the drug surrenderers at the Marigondon Police Station last July.

In February 2008, Washington and his niece Janisha Cortez were arrested after allegedly attempting to bribe the Regional Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Group 7 policemen for them to file a lesser offense against instead of selling illegal drugs.

Paquito, Cortez's father, that time was jailed after he was caught during a buy-bust operation. (FREEMAN)