Mandaue’s ‘Toben’ Andaya: Ex-councilor found dead in resort room

CEBU, Philippines — A pistol on the floor. Cash scattered around. A lifeless body soaked in blood.

This was the scene inside a room at Pebbles Beach Resort and Restaurant in Barangay Liloan in the southernmost town of Santander, Cebu where former Mandaue City councilor Beethoven “Toben” Andaya was found dead yesterday.

Santander Police Chief Superintendent Mario Baquiran Jr. said Andaya was found with a gunshot wound to his left chest yesterday morning, hours after he checked in at the resort on Sunday evening.

A resort worker discovered Andaya’s body, after noticing that the door to the victim’s room was already half-open.

Robbery or Suicide?

Baquiran, in a phone interview with The FREEMAN, said police recovered a 9mm Glock pistol from the crime scene, which belonged to the victim, according to his family.

Police also found cash, believed to be owned by Andaya, scattered on the floor and in bed. Other things in the room were also disarranged, raising suspicions that there could have been a struggle.

“May possibility na robbery ang motive ng crime since nagkalat ang pera doon sa sahig at bed,” Baquiran said.

Andaya was reportedly a frequent guest at the resort. This time, though, Andaya checked in alone, only tagging along a body bag.

Baquiran also said security at the resort was not that tight, and CCTV cameras were installed only at the admin office.

Other occupants at the hotel told the police that there were two unidentified males who checked in the room adjacent to Andaya’s, more than an hour after the latter arrived.

However, they were unable to hear any commotion or gunfire from Andaya’s room.

Police are also not discounting the possibility of a suicide since the victim’s gun was found to his right. But the family rejected the idea, saying the victim was not depressed.

The family also revealed that the victim was left-handed.

Cry for justice

Back in the city, Andaya’s former colleagues are seeking a speedy investigation into the case.

“I am saddened by his untimely demise,” said former Mandaue City councilor Emmarie Ouano-Dizon, “and I share the pain of his loss with his grieving family. I pray that the investigation will lead to a swift conclusion and that justice will be obtained.”

Dizon said Mandauehanons lost “a great man, a dedicated public servant, a devoted family man, and a loyal friend.”

Andaya was Dizon’s runningmate when the latter ran for city mayor in the 2016 elections.

Mayor Luigi Quisumbing and Vice Mayor Carlo Pontico Fortuna, who defeated them, separately extended their condolences to the family.

“We condole with the family of former councilor Toben Andaya and offer our deepest sympathies. We also call on the police authorities to conduct a speedy and thorough investigation of his death,” Fortuna said.

Quisumbing described Andaya as an amiable and accommodating person based on his encounters with him.

“He clearly loved Mandaue and the city will forever be grateful for his service. We mourn his passing and our thoughts and prayers are with his bereaved family at this time,” Quisumbing added.

Vice Governor Agnes Magpale and Provincial Board Member Jonkie Ouano also sent their sympathies.

Andaya joined politics in 2007 upon the prodding of former Mandaue City mayor Alfredo “Pedong” Ouano. He won and ranked third among the 10 city councilors in that election.

Andaya was then part of the Power Team, headed by former Mandaue City mayor Thadeo “Teddy” Ouano, son of Alfredo.

However, in 2009, Andaya bolted from the Power Team and joined Team Honesty, headed by former Mandaue City mayor Jonas Cortes.

In 2016, Andaya was back to Ouano’s lineup when he was picked to run for vice mayor alongside Dizon. (FREEMAN)