CCTVs show at least 4 conspired to kill Atty. Wee

CEBU, Philippines — It was not only two people who participated in the daylight murder of lawyer Joey Luis Wee but at least four, the special investigation task group looking into the case disclosed yesterday.

Lieutenant Colonel Wilbert Parilla, CCPO director for operations, said there may have been more than four individuals involved, including the two suspects who closely shot the lawyer outside his office in Barangay Kasambagan, Cebu City last month.

Parilla said there were look-out persons within the one-kilometer radius of the area where the crime happened.

He further said there were also more than three vehicles involved.

“Nakita nato nga dili ra katong duha maoy nagtira nga suspect but daghan sila during that time. Dunay mga look-out. And duna pa'y laing mga sakyanan nga involved,” he said.

Such developments came after the SITG analyzed the closed-circuit television (CCTV) footages obtained from the one-kilometer radius area of the crime scene.

“Gipangayoan nato og copy ang tanan within one-kilometer radius sa area gikan sa area sa nahitaboan. Atong gi-connect-connect ang possible nilang giagian. So, duna ta'y mga na-identify,” Parilla said.

The SITG has already sent a request letter to the National Bureau of Investigation-7 to join its next meeting and share exchange investigation notes.

Until now, the family of Wee has not yet coordinated with the police, according to Parilla. However, he stressed that they could not blame the family considering that it was a tragic incident and, most especially since the wife witnessed it and was also even pointed with a gun by one of the perpetrators.

Wee was shot while outside his office building in Barangay Kasambagan, Cebu City afternoon on November 23.

He handled high-profile cases, including the case against 14 former officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways-7 in relation to the overpriced purchase of 1,800 lampposts for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit held in Cebu in 2017.

Aside from this, Wee also defended agents and civilian assets of the NBI-7 who were involved in the December 2002 strafing of a van carrying off-duty resort employees.

He was also the lawyer of Rizal, Palawan Mayor Nicolas Montaño Sr. who was accused of rape in 2010. JMD (FREEMAN)