House of CBACTAF member strafed

CEBU, Philippines - The house of an active member of the City of Bogo Anti-Illegal Task Force (CBACTAF) was strafed by two unidentified men shortly past midnight the other day. No one was injured in the incident.

CBACTAF member Ricky Metante and his family were sleeping at their house in Barangay Cayang, Bogo City when the suspects fired at their residence.

Provincial Police Director Sr. Supt. Erson Digal said the suspects also threw an explosive device at the house, which destroyed a window.

SPO4 Emmanuel Masong, desk officer of the Bogo City police, said they recovered two empty shells of a 9mm caliber pistol and a slug of a .45 caliber pistol from Metante’s house.

Metante reportedly saw the bonnet-wearing suspects flee towards a sugarcane farm.

Digal said he has instructed Supt. Julian Intoma, chief of the Bogo City police, to look into the incident to determine if it was triggered by Metante’s involvement with CBACTAF. He also instructed Intoma to detail policemen at the mountain barangays.

CBACTAF became controversial owing to allegations that the group is being used as personal bodyguards Bogo Mayor Celestino Martinez II.

“Kaning report supporter leader sa mayor si Metante, amo ning tan-awn pa. Pero amo pa jud ning tan-awn kay basin naa lang ni kontra si Metante,” Digal said.

Meanwhile, Police Regional Director Chief Supt. Lani-O Nerez emphasized yesterday that CBACTAF is but a force multiplier of the police personnel in Bogo City.

CBACTAF is authorized by the Department of Interior Local Government, but Nerez said it is better if they are “detached” from the police organization, especially with the current allegations. Digal shared Nerez’ opinion.

“Dili nana sila pakuyugon sa pulis para dili sila maduhig. Lahi man gud sila sa police operation,” Digal said. — Gabriel C. Bonjoc/JMO   (FREEMAN NEWS)