43 days after death of Ong brothers: No case filed yet; family to tap NBI

CEBU, Philippines — Forty three days after seafarer-brothers Nick and Neil Ong were shot to death, their family and relatives conducted an indignation march as they continue to cry for justice and faster resolution of the case.

Thelma Ong, mother of Nick and Neil, said they conducted the indignation march to call the attention of the witnesses of the shooting incident involving her two sons and help them solve the case.

"I'm begging all the witnesses to come forward. You have to speak up. You have to help us what you see. We cannot let just these perpetrators walk freely and seems like nothing happened. You have to help us. It’s the only way that Neil and Nick have the justice that they deserved," said the teary-eyed mother.

Nick, 25, and his older brother Neil, 28, were shot dead by two unidentified assailants on board a motorcycle in Barangay Punta Princesa, Cebu City last January 26.

The police have been eyeing personal grudge and love triangle as possible motive of the death of the siblings.

Neil was shot dead while he tried to follow the perpetrators of his younger brother, Nick.

Thelma said that since they were young, Neil has been very protective over his younger brother.

"Nick is kinda bossy, but the older brother just loves him so much.  He's very protective.  I’m struggling every day. I can hardly sleep. I lose not only one, but two children at the same time," Thelma added on how she's coping with the loss of her two sons.

She added that she is frustrated with the pace of the investigation of the case and is considering to seek the assistance of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

"That is what we ask help from the NBI because it’s almost two months and there are no updates or progress. We want NBI to assist us for the resolution of the case," Thelma said.

Police Senior Superintendent Ryan Devaras, chief of Investigation Detection and Management Branch (IDMB), said they welcome the plan of the family of tapping the NBI to help in the case.

"Mas maayo para mas daghan nga law agencies nga maglihok. Pareho ra man ta og gusto nga mahitabo, mao ang pagsulbad sa kaso. Maayo man sad ang among coordination with the NBI, walay problema," said Devaras, in a phone interview with The FREEMAN.

He also said that the investigation and operation against the suspects continue, however the fear of the witness to cooperate with the police and give an affidavit failed them to file a case against the perpetrators.

"May suspect na ta, positively identified pud sa witness pero dili man nato mapugos ang witness kay mahadlok.  Mao na ang hindrance maong dili pa ta ka-file og kaso, pero continue ang atong pag-monitor sa whereabouts sa suspect.  Pabalhin-balhin siya," said Devaras.

He added that they respect the grieving family on their thoughts on the progress of the case, but he reiterated that the police did not stop in looking for the possibilities to resolve the case.

Around 300 individuals attended the indignation march from St. Peter along  Imus Road to Sacred Heart Parish along D. Jakosalem Street, Cebu City yesterday. (FREEMAN)