Owner of strafed agency willing to cooperate

CEBU, Philippines - Tonyson Lee, the son of the owner of the travel  agency fired at by unidentified men last December 28, expressed his willingness to cooperate with the police investigation on the strafing incident.

Tonyson told Investigative and Detective Management Bureau Chief Insp. Michael Bastes that their establishment, the Black Panda Travel and Tours, remains closed for now as his family fears for their lives following the incident.

They are currently living in Manila.

He also told Bastes that he was once a member of the Alpha Kappa Rho fraternity but he is now inactive.  He also told him that he did not have any enemies in Cebu.

Bastes said they still need to pursue the investigation but admitted they have a hard time getting a lead on the incident, which is why they want to talk with Tonyson’s father, Tony Lee, the operator of the travel agency.

The travel agency, located along S.B. Cabahug St., Barangay Centro, Mandaue City, was shot at by two men wearing full-face helmets onboard a motorcycle that had no license plate numbers.

Sixteen empty shells were recovered from the crime scene.  Police believe that the suspects could have used a high-powered firearm such as an Ingram or a KG-9.

Earlier, Tonyson was charged with direct assault by the police after he allegedly hit Insp. Alvino Enguito, whose men dismantled the tents being used by supporters of suspended Governor Gwendolyn Garcia.

Charged with Tonyson were Paolo Garcia, the son of suspended Governor Gwen Garcia; and Joey Cal, a businessman and former agent of the National Bureau of Investigation.

Black Panda Travel and Tours started operation a few years ago, it was first managed by Tonyson but in 2010 his father Tony took over to manage the business. —(FREEMAN)