Police eye drug angle in Darnayla ambush

CEBU, Philippines - Police investigators are eyeing illegal drugs as possible motive in the ambush that wounded a barangay captain in Lapu-Lapu City last weekend.

Senior Superintendent Rey Lyndon Lawas, deputy regional director for operations of Police Regional Office-7, said Basak Barangay Captain Isabelo “Belong” Darnayla had admonished a group of people allegedly involved in illegal drugs prior to his ambush on Saturday.  

Darnayla survived in the shooting after he was able to return fire at his attackers.

“Duna man gud siya’y gipatawag nga engaged in illegal drug activity. Mao na iya’ng gibasehan kay allegedly thereafter, nahitabo dayon ang insidente,” Lawas said.

Lawas said homicide investigators now have a suspect in mind but are still gathering evidence to support their suspicion. 

“We cannot yet confirm kung sila ba gyud ang suspects kay mag-base man pud na sa ebidensya,” he said.

According to Lawas, the investigators are only following circumstantial evidence based on the circumstances narrated to them by Darnayla. The police, however, are not discounting other angles in the ongoing investigation.

“So usa kana sa una nga gitagaan og gibug-aton sa kapulisan unless naa’y lain reports pertaining to laing possible motive,” said Lawas as he also mentioned the victim’s political background.

Darnayla is still recuperating at a hospital in Lapu-Lapu and is provided with police security. Lawas said the barangay captain can request for a security escort from the Commission on Elections after he will be discharged from the hospital.

 “But later on, we will advise him to seek clearance sa COMELEC  for continuous security,” said Lawas.

Darnayla was on his way to the barangay hall at 7:40 p.m. last Saturday on board his Ford Ranger pickup when the unidentified gunman, wearing black shirt and bonnet, shot him from behind.

Darnayla managed to shoot back, prompting his attacker to flee. The barangay captain, who sustained gunshot wound to the lower back, drove himself to the hospital.  (FREEMAN)