Task Force Ouano seeks other police units' help

CEBU, Philippines - The Mandaue City Police Office is now tapping other police units to help them solve the ambush-slaying of businessman Antonio Ouano.

Superintendent James Goforth, who heads Task Force Ouano, said they need the assistance of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)7, the Regional Investigation and Detective Management Division (RIDMD), the Provincial Investigation and Detective Management Branch (PIDMB), the Provincial Intelligence Branch (PIB), and the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office for the immediate solution of the case.

Goforth said these other police investigative units may have data of the people whom they suspect to be responsible in Ouano’s murder. He said they now have leads based on the testimonies of the witnesses.

“We want to be positively sure muna na the witnesses are giving the same descriptions to be clear,” Goforth explained why they have not come up an artist sketch of the suspects yet.

According to Goforth, if necessary they will recommend the witnesses to be placed under the witness protection program of the Department of Justice. Cebu Provincial Police Office director Patrocinio Comendador said that they are helping the Mandaue police by giving them intelligence information.

Goforth earlier said the people responsible were professional hired killers who allegedly have pending warrants of arrest. The police are checking on two possible motives behind Ouano’s murder.

According to Goforth, they are zeroing in on the business angle and personal grudge. Ouano was ambushed by two unidentified motorcycle-riding gunmen on Mantawi Drive in Barangay Mantuyong last Friday afternoon.

The victim had just attended a court hearing at the Mandaue City Palace of Justice when he was gunned down. He was heading to another court hearing at the Regional Trial Court Branch 28 together with his secretary.

His pending cases in court were also among the angles being looked into by the police.

The pending cases involved a property dispute between him and Dr. Danny Dionson and another civil case filed by Ouano’s own sister Vilma Ouano which pertains to their family business.

Vilma wanted to replace the victim as chairman of the board of directors in the Ernesto C. Ouano Development and Management Corporation. — (FREEMAN)