Cops improving sketch of ambush perpetrator

CEBU, Philippines - The Homicide Section of the Cebu City Police Office is now working on the facial composite of the assailant who shot dead Crisanta Lauro, live-in partner of Masbate Mayor Hermigildo Betonio III, and injured Pio V. Corpus councilor Lenny Eser last week.

The facial composite of the gunman was improved based on the description given by Eser.

Senior Supt. Mariano Natuel Jr., CCPO director, said they already have the name of the allegedly assailant.

“We still have to establish ug unsa gyud ni siya ka notado nga gunman,” Natuel said.

The picture of a man first showed by the CCPO to Eser resembled Aljon Ala, 32, of Barangay Basak-San Nicolas, who went to the Cebu City Intelligence Branch last Saturday to clear his name.

Ala was released by the CIB after Eser said he was not the assailant.

“Ang picture showed duol gyud sa description sa ni-surrender but kato nga picture one year ago pa,” Natu-el said, hoping that Eser would still recall the features of the assailant.

Homicide Section personnel are also now coordinating with another witness to the crime.

Lauro succumbed to gunshot wounds in the head and chest while Eser was hit in the palm after they were shot by unidentified men on board a motorcycle while at a stop signal at corner of Vicente Sotto St. and Sergio Osmeña Blvd.

Both were rushed to the Chong Hua Hospital but Lauro, two months pregnant, was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician.

Natuel was convinced that Lauro was the subject of the assailants as Eser who was near the assailants was not killed.

“I don’t think si Eser ang target kay sa position sa gunman mas pabor kang Eser unya ang gipuntirya kay si Lauro,” he said.

Charry Mangacop, estranged husband of Lauro, pledged to pursue the case if the assailants will be arrested. –(FREEMAN)