Killings ‘alarming’ (Tomas points finger at CHR for splurge of violence)

CEBU, Philippines — Ronda Vice Mayor and lawyer Jonnah John Ungab, former Agus, Lapu-Lapu City village chief Remegio “Bo” Oyao, San Fernando councilor Alexander Alicaway, Jail Inspector Edwin Sarcon, and recently, former Talisay City councilor Emilio “Emil” Go.

In a span of a little over one month, these are some of the high-profile personalities who became targets of shooting incidents in Metro Cebu with suspects still unidentified as of this writing.

The killings continued last night in Sitio Dumpsite, Barangay Mactan, Lapu-Lapu City where three persons were shot dead by unidentified perpetrators.

Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña said the spate of killings in the metro is already alarming.

Police, however, were quick to allay concerns, saying there is no reason to be alarmed as they denied anew that a group of vigilantes is responsible for the series of killings involving high-profile personalities in Cebu.

Police Superintendent Reyman Tolentin, PRO-7 spokesperson, said these reports are mere speculations.

“Well, there is no report na may vigilantes although some might speculate that. But we should get away with those speculations. Each case has a very unique circumstance. Pag sinabing vigilante kasi, unlike in early 2000s, na vigilantes, daghan kaayo, validated to siya. But these days, wala pa ta’y validation nga naay vigilantes,” said Tolentin.

He said it could be that criminals, specifically drug personalities, may just be killing one another.

“Ang uban sumasakay sa panahon. It will be a winning point. The security forces are on the winning side. Kung ang business ay palugi, drugs is a very risky business. It leads to debt. Kung hindi maganda ang takbo, nagpapatayan sila. Kung sila-sila na ang nagpapatayan, it means na hindi maganda ang takbo ng business. So we are winning,” Tolentin explained.

PRO-7 reassured the public that there is nothing to be alarmed about since each of the killings is unique and does not follow a single pattern.

For Osmeña, though, the splurge of violence may be attributed to the Commission on Human Rights’ campaign that seems to favor perpetrators of crime.

“Alarming because the criminals – ironically, this is my explanation – have human rights. Victims have no human rights. That’s why there are a lot of killings. Simple,” Osmeña said at a press conference yesterday.

“Did you notice that? Did you see Human Rights complaining? When a councilor gets shot, no, in Cebu, it’s only the criminals that have human rights. The victims? They don’t have human rights,” he added.

He believes that this is also the reason why cops are afraid of running after criminals because the CHR-7 would question their operation.

But lawyer Arvin Odron, CHR-7 director, disagrees.

“Actually, many government officials view human rights as a hindrance to peace and security. But a sustained campaign on human rights is seen as a way to strengthen rights in development planning and governance directly links human rights with development to achieve lasting peace and security,” he said in a text message to The FREEMAN.

Odron said it is very inappropriate for a government official to say that killing all criminals will solve criminalities.

“Let it be noted that it is not for us to take the natural right of a person to life, not even the government even in the exercise of its inherent police power, which is simply to regulate the enjoyment of human rights for common good, but not to take it,” he added.

On drug list

Yesterday, police said former Talisay City councilor Emil Go, who was shot dead Wednesday evening inside his family’s compound in Barangay Bulacao, was on their drug watch list.

Aside from his alleged involvement in illegal drugs, authorities are also looking into personal grudge, his alleged participation in illegal gambling activities, and politics as possible motives, according to Senior Superintendent Edgar Alan Okubo, director of the Cebu Provincial Police Office.

Interestingly, Go’s killing occurred three days after the ambush of Jail Inspector Edwin Sarcon in Barangay Guadalupe, Cebu City, from which he survived.

Sarcon was the deputy jail warden of Talisay City Jail when unidentified men, on several occasions, strafed the facility’s gate, believed to have been masterminded by a certain Steve Go, an alleged big-time drug player in the city.

Steve is Emilio’s nephew. He was arrested in 2015 for robbery with homicide and is considered a high-profile inmate.

Emil’s son, Frederick Go, was also arrested last year for his alleged involvement in illegal drugs.

Okubo said there is no need to form a special team to handle Emil’s killing for now.

“No need... but we’ll see. There are requirements naman sa Special Investigation Task Group. But as of now, we do not see any directive na kasama siya,” Okubo said.

Investigation

Chief Superintendent Marlu Conag, chief of Talisay City police, said among the angles they are pursuing in their investigation are personal grudge, Emil’s alleged involvement in drugs, as well as illegal gambling.

“Based sa reports, he was into swertres. Inamin sa mga tao ko na he has several booths dito sa Talisay. Ang alam din ng maraming tao nga nag-carry out siya ng swertres,” Conag said.

Emil, who served as a city councilor from 2001 to 2007, was shot dead by unidentified assailants inside his family compound at Mansueto Village, Barangay Bulacao, Talisay City at around 6 p.m. on Wednesday.

Yesterday, police investigators went to the crime scene to get a copy of the footages from the CCTV cameras installed outside the victim’s house.

Two vehicles – a red Honda sedan and a dark blue SUV Pajero – were seen in the area but the actual shooting was not captured by the cameras.

One assailant embarked from one of the vehicles and went near the shanty where the victim was talking with his two friends.

Authorities recovered one empty shell of undetermined caliber of firearm from the crime scene. — with Iris Mariani B. Algabre and Mae Clydyl L. Avila/JMD (FREEMAN)