Cops to dig deeper into Andaya’s death

CEBU, Philippines — Police will form a task group to investigate into the death of former Mandaue City councilor Beethoven “Toben” Andaya.

As this developed, the Provincial Tourism Office has also urged hotel and resort operators in Cebu to keep their places safe for tourists at all times.

Andaya was found dead with a gunshot wound to his chest inside his rented room at Pebbles Beach Resort and Restaurant in Barangay Liloan, Santander town, southern Cebu on Monday morning.

The task group, according to Santander police chief Superintendent Mario Baquiran Jr., will be composed of Santander police and Provincial Intelligence Branch (PIB) personnel and will conduct deeper investigation.

Veering away from the suicide angle, police have now shifted their attention to robbery as the main motive in the killing.

“Nag-focus kami ngayon sa robbery kasi sabi ng kapatid na si Eugene Andaya na more or less P20,000 to P30,000 ang lagi niyang dinadalang pera. And pangalawa, nawala yung dalawang cellphone niya,” Baquiran told The FREEMAN.

When the police arrived at the crime scene, they were greeted by a room in a state of disarray, with Andaya’s body lying on the floor and several bills scattered around.

Cash recovered from the scene totaled P1,000.

Police recovered the victim’s 9mm pistol, which they found just a few inches from Andaya’s right hand. They also recovered one empty shell of 9 mm pistol and a slug.

Investigation further showed that Andaya may have struggled to fend for himself.

“Iyon yung assessment namin, dahil yung pinagkainan niya, iyong softdrinks at bottled water at monobloc chair, ay nakatumba sa sahig,” said Baquiran.

Traces of burns were also found in Andaya’s left hand, which somehow revealed that the victim was shot at close range and that he may have used his left hand for cover.

Accounts from Andaya’s brother said that Andaya left Mandaue City at around 2 p.m. on Sunday. The victim just boarded a bus on his way to Santander.

Andaya and his family were said to be regular guests at the resort, said Baquiran.

The medico-legal examination revealed that Andaya may have been shot dead between 9:30 p.m. and 11 p.m. on Sunday. That’s at least 40 minutes after his check-in time.

Baquiran said witnesses told the police that two unidentified male persons were seen entering Andaya’s room just about that time, and then left some 20 minutes after.

The problem, however, is that witnesses failed to distinguish the persons’ faces.

CCTV cameras, which were installed only at the resort’s admin office, were also unable to capture the two. Baquiran suspected that Andaya may have known the persons because he let them in.

“Tingin ko, kakilala niya siguro,” he said.

Andaya will be subjected to a paraffin test to determine if he indeed fired a gun.

Call for safety

Meanwhile, Cebu provincial tourism officer Joselito “Boboi” Costas has reminded hotel and resort owners across the province to be always on their toes, especially when it comes to the security of their guests and staff.

“I call on resorts and hotels to be ever-vigilant regarding threats to their guests and employees. They should make their facilities as safe and secure as possible,” he said.

Costas also downplayed reports that Andaya’s death would affect local tourism in general, saying it was an “isolated case.”

He added that tourism will only be adversely affected if the media will take the case negatively.

“Tourism is one of the world's largest industries and one of the most economically important. It would affect local tourism because negative press always makes people think twice. But I don't think it would put a dent on the arrivals in the south,” he said. (FREEMAN)