Tipster gets P200T reward for pointing Largo’s hideout

CEBU, Philippines — Talisay City Mayor Eduardo Gullas handed the P200,000 cash reward yesterday morning to one of the informants who helped the city police in locating murder suspect Jessie Largo.

Mandaue City Mayor Gabriel Luis Quisumbing, on the other hand, has coordinated with the police for the turnover of the reward to the tipster which the city also pledged for the speedy resolution of the case.

Meanwhile, the Cebu Provincial Board yesterday passed a resolution commending the police force for "neutralizing” the suspect in the murder of the son of a local government employee.

Talisay City Chief of Police Superintendent Jason Villamater had earlier disclosed that there are two informants who gave police Largo’s whereabouts.

However, the first informant has personally went to the station and closely coordinated with the police, while the other one has only contacted the police through over the phone.

“Pag-usapan na lang nung dalawa. Pero isa lang ang totally in full contact,” he said.

Last Monday, Talisay policemen, in coordination with the Regional Special Operations Group (RSOG)-7, conducted a manhunt operation against Largo, an alleged notorious hitman.

Largo, together with his unidentified cohort, allegedly killed 22-year-old John Ronli Calizar inside an apartment of Largo’s ex-girlfriend Katherine Cabungcag in Sitio Kalmar, Barangay Lawaan 2, Talisay City last August 26.

Since then, Largo has been hiding and stayed himself at the safe house in Sitio Aromahan Barangay Dumlog, Talisay, near the river.

Calizar is the son of a government employee Ferliza Contratista and a former reporter of The Freeman.

During the operation, Police Officer 3 David Naraja was shot in the face.

Gullas, who earlier said he will shoulder Naraja’s hospital bills, gave P20,000 cash assistance from his personal pocket to the policeman.

Quisumbing, in an interview, said they have promised to give the reward and hopes the incident will have closure soon.

The mayor, however, preferred not to divulge the worth of the reward.

"I suppose, more than anything really this goes to show what risks the police take every day in the exercise of their duties. They are dealing with dangerous individuals on a daily basis that has zero respect for the law, zero respect for the peace and order," he said.

At the Capitol, Provincial Board Members Yolanda Daan and Raul Bacaltos authored the resolution commending the policemen.

“Commending the concerned operatives of the Talisay Police Station, The Regional Intelligence Division (RID) and the Regional Special Operations Group for successfully neutralizing suspected criminal Jessie Largo,” read the resolution.

“This legitimate operation evidences (shows) the diligence and steadfastness of the PNP in going after criminal suspects so that they can be brought to justice and in preserving, protecting, and maintaining peace and order,” it stated.

The authors noted that “it is unfortunate that some suspects, to their misfortune, are decidedly wayward and choose hostility and violent defiance against lawful authority.”  (FREEMAN)