Tom doubts misencounter, claims police coverup

CEBU, Philippines —  For Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña, the top police hierarchy in the region are covering up on the real story surrounding the death of Police Corporal Feliciano Yballe and Police Master Sergeant Junard Cinco.

Osmeña said his sources say the same thing as what Columnist Bobby Nalzaro said in his column at a local paper.

“For the first time in a very long time, I will agree with Bobby Nalzaro. Why? Because my own sources say the same thing,” the mayor said in his Facebook post.

Osmeña’s sources revealed that Yballe is a known “tirador” of self-proclaimed Franz Sabalones.

The mayor believed that the police have “covered-up” on the killing of Yballe who was earlier accused of killing Cinco, who is a member of Provincial Intelligence Branch (PIB).

“Because of the murder of Cinco and now the attempted cover-up, there is conflict between the City and Regional police. Many lower rank police are angry with the death of Cinco and the declaration of a ‘misencounter,’” the mayor said.

The FREEMAN tried but failed to get the comments of Police Regional Office 7 Chief Debold Sinas, Cebu City Police Office Chief Royina Garma and PIB Chief Alejandro Batobalonos.

Osmeña said Yballe is reportedly connected to a certain Jerome Labitad of Talisay City which should be looked into.

“This info is coming from the same sources who - 8 out of 8 - named ALL the Talamban DEU personnel who were caught on CCTV hitting a baby and stealing from the baby’s mother. To this day, they have been “relieved” but kept out of sight by CCPO and PRO-7. Garma herself has threatened to sue one of the victims. In addition to this, she put out a gag order prohibiting media to talk to anyone in police custody,” the mayor added.

Osmeña then raised his query to Garma: “What are you trying to hide Garma?”

To recall, the police earlier identified Yballe as one of the suspects of Cinco’s death and an operation was pursued targeting Yballe.

But, Sinas declared that Yballe was not the suspect of the death of Cinco and Yballe was reportedly killed because of a “misencounter.” — GAN (FREEMAN)