Police: Reluya ambush-slay “partially solved”

CEBU, Philippines — The killing of San Fernando councilor Ricardo Reluya, Jr. is “partially solved,” the police said at the end of the two weeks they were given to solve the crime.

"We consider the case partially solved but not cleared kay wala pa namo nadakpan (We consider the case partially solved, but not cleared, because we have not arrested the suspects)," said Police Regional Office-7 Director Debold Sinas.

The police have identified notorious drug personalities and alleged gun-for-hire men, Jerome Labitad and his uncle Felix Abacajan Jr., as among the five that peppered Reluya’s van with bullets on January 22 in Talisay City.

Ricardo died on the spot, along with Allan Bayot, driver, and Ricky Monterona, one of staff members of San Fernando Mayor Lakambini Reluya.

The mayor, Jefer Tolentin, and Giovanni Perez survived the ambush.

Sinas said that aside from arresting the suspects for the crime, they can also lead the police to the mastermind.

In a press briefing, Senior Supt. Manuel Abrugena said that Perez, of the mayor’s security escorts, said he saw three men alight clearly from a Toyota Innova and approach the van.

Perez reportedly heard Labitad say, "Gahi dili maabli (It won’t budge)," while attempting to open the driver's door of the victims’ van.

Perez also reportedly heard Abacajan say, “birahi pa (Shoot them more)!"

Police found 72 fired cartridges from the crime scene.

Labitad and Abacajan will face multiple cases of murder and frustrated murder.

Talisay Police Station chief Marlu Conag, San Fernando Police Station chief Lymel Pasquin, and Senior Insp. Alejandro Batobalonos figured in a shootout with Labitad and Abacajan  in Campo Quatro, Talisay City last January 29.

Labitad was reportedly wounded during the exchange of fire but remains at large.

Sinas called on the two suspects to surrender peacefully and warned them that they are being tracked.

Sinas also said that despite a lack of compelling evidence, mayoralty bet Ruben Feliciano and his campaign manager, Neil Enriquez, are still not off the hook.

The mayor said earlier that she believes politics have something to do with the attack.

"We cannot establish kung ano ang kaugnayan ng dalawang ito sa mismong nag-perpetrate ng crime. Kailangan we identify why they perpetrated the crime para malaman kung ano talaga motive (We cannot establish how the two are related to the suspects. We have to know why they did the crime so we can establish motive)," Abrugena said

Sinas said they will present the progress of the case to Philippine National Police Director-General Oscar Albayalde, the one who gave the local police two weeks to investigate. — JMO, (FREEMAN)