Cops secure CCTVs along ambush route

CEBU, Philippines — The Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) formed to look into the ambush of San Fernando, Cebu mayor Lakambini “Neneth” Reluya and her companions is now closer in determining the details of the getaway vehicles used and the routes they have taken.

SITG spokesperson Superintendent Virgilio Bayon-on said they were able to secure several closed-circuit television (CCTV) footages along the route the vehicles of both the assailants and the victims have taken.

The CCTV footages would be used in tracing the plate number of the perpetrators’ get-away vehicle.

“Karon nakakuha na tag CCTV footage sa establishments’ duol sa crime scene and sa route giagian sa biktima,” he said.

Bayon-on said that the SITG conducted a re-enactment of the crime in the ambush site in Barangay Linao, Talisay City last Thursday based on the accounts of the witnesses and survivors.

The purpose is to review the actual incident, so that they will have a clearer picture of what really happened.

Reluya, her husband, Panadtaran Barangay Chairman Ricardo “Nonoy,” the town’s investment and promotions officer Ricky Monterona, and driver Allan Bayot were ambushed late Tuesday afternoon while on board a white Super Grandia van enroute to Cebu City from San Fernando town.

Reluya and two others survived the attack, but Ricardo, the president of the town’s Association of Baranagy Councils, and two others did not.

Bayon-on also said they could not exactly determine as of now how many persons of interest (POIs) and witnesses they have, since they are still in the thick of their investigation.

He, however, assured that the members of the task group are doing their respective task assigned to them in order to meet the ultimatum given by PNP Chief Oscar Albayalde.

Albayalde had given the local police two weeks to solve the incident.

Bounty

Bayon-on also said that no one approached them to offer any bounty as a reward to those who can give additional information about the incident.

“Wala pay niduol gyud diris atoa. Wala pa sad ta ka second case conference, unsay update, unsay development sa ubang tasking.  By the time siguro sa second case conference, may development na, basin makuha nato unsay detalye,” said Bayon-on.

Aside from the security personnel assigned to Reluya’s family and the survivors, the witnesses were also given security.

Meanwhile, the task group is verifying the report that someone was seen travelling back and forth at the crime scene just after the incident.

“Puro gyud ta red alert tanan, tungod sa nahitabo, lalo na ang sa Talisay ug San Fernando diin gitahasan ta sa PNP chief nga within two weeks ma-solve naangkaso,” said Bayon-on.  — Marjory D. Enriquez, USJ-R Intern, GAN (FREEMAN)