EDITORIAL - Where's the mastermind?

Jimmy Largo and Jordan Gera both pleaded not guilty to charges of murdering Ermita, Cebu City barangay captain Felicisimo "Imok" Rupinta and attempting to murder his common-law wife, Jocelyn Mendoza, last month.

Their move has been expected considering the fact that they have firmly denied the allegations since the time of their arrest. They have been positively identified by Mendoza and some witnesses as part of those who opened fire at the vehicle Rupinta and Mendoza were riding on the evening of November 23 in Liloan town.

When the trial begins, they are expected to refute before the court all the evidence the police gathered against them. But the charges are now up to the court to decide as the public expects both camps to fight it out.

However, it remains to be seen whether the prosecution has convincing evidence that merits conviction, or if the accused possess enough proof showing they have nothing to do with the barangay captain's killing.

But as the court starts to hear the case, the police should not just sit back and relax knowing they have strong evidence against the accused. The battle has to be won. But justice will never be served with the conviction of just a few considering the fact that some of Rupinta's perpetrators are still at large. 

Lest the authorities have forgotten, the mastermind in the killing has yet to be arrested. Although the police claimed they had already identified the mastermind, it seems they have been slow in the effort for his capture so charges will be filed.

It has been more than 20 days since that fateful night when shots from gunmen who ambushed an Isuzu D-max pickup took the life of the barangay captain. But we have yet to see the police closing in on the brains despite claiming they had already identified the mastermind.

Perhaps, the authorities are careful and do not want half-baked results in their investigation that will only jeopardize the trial of the case. However, as far as their probe is concerned, public knowledge on Rupinta's slay seems limited only to the arrest of the two suspects.