Tom hikes reward for info on assailant of CITOM man

Mayor Tomas Osmeña yesterday announced that the city government will increase from P50,000 to P100,000 the reward for any information on the whereabouts of Wenelito Econas, the mini-bus driver who stabbed traffic enforcer Dante de la Peña.

Osmeña told reporters that the increase in the reward would encourage the public to help solve the case, even as he maintained his "shoot" stand should the suspect resist arrest by police.

"I want all drivers to listen and respect our law enforcers," Osmena said.

He also stressed that he is willing to allow traffic enforcers to be issued with the city-owned firearms for their protection on condition they pass psychological exams and gun-handling training.

Meantime, Reyman Asot, the conductor of Econas, yesterday surrendered to Cebu City Police Office director Melvin Gayotin and told authorities that he was not part in the stabbing incident last Friday.

At the Homicide Section, Asot narrated the incident and confirmed that Econas got irked after De la Peña apprehended him for a traffic violation in front of the Cebu Institute of Technology.

Presciosa Batiller, the owner of the mini-bus, has asked Osmeña to allow her vehicle to resume plying its normal route following its impoundment last week. - Ramil V. Ayuman