Slain bodyguard of Carmen mayor laid to rest yesterday

CEBU, Philippines - Close to 1,000 supporters of Carmen Mayor Sonia Pua paid their last respects to Pua’s bodyguard, ex-policeman Nito Taoy, as the latter was laid to rest yesterday morning at the town’s Catholic cemetery.

Clad in black and white shirts, Pua’s supporters marched from the Saint Augustine Church towards the Catholic cemetery in barangay Dawis Norte bringing placards with the words, “Justice for 65-year-old nito taoy and stop political killing.”

Taoy was sitting outside the MI Security Agency in barangay Cogon West last Tuesday afternoon when four men on motorcycles peppered him with bullets.

Yesterday, Pua assured Taoy’s family that she is closely coordinating with the Carmen police for the immediate arrest of the suspects. She said the residents of Carmen are “peace-loving people” and are united for the good of the town.

Pua earlier promised to give P50,000 as reward money to anyone who can provide information about the whereabouts of the suspects. Cartographic sketches of the gunmen were also distributed to the different barangays in the town and in the neighboring city of Danao.

Aside from the recent incident that ended his life, Taoy was reportedly kidnapped during the 2007 elections by Pua’s rival at that time who was supported by the Durano family.

The Durano camp, however, denied any involvement in the supposed kidnapping. — Jose P. Sollano/JMO   (FREEMAN NEWS)