Not election-related, police say: Cop, partylist bet ambushed

CEBU, Philippines —  A police official and his wife who is a first nominee of a partylist landed in the hospital after the vehicle they were riding was peppered with bullets as they were traversing Pope John Paul Avenue in Barangay Mabolo, Cebu City late night on Labor Day.

The police identified the victims as Lt. Colonel Chuck Barandog and his wife, Yvonne Caña-Barandog, first nominee of the STL Partylist.

Lt. Colonel Maria Theresa Macatangay, information officer of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO), said Barandog sustained 11 gunshot wounds.

He remained critical as of this writing.

Caña, meanwhile, sustained a gunshot wound in the back. She is now safe.

A friend of Barandog, also a cop, was with the couple in the vehicle. He was not hit by a bullet but a piece of glass from the window reportedly hit him in the eye. The police did not disclose his identity.

The gunman was unidentified as of this writing.

Initial investigation showed that the couple had come from a gathering of STL Partylist supporters at the North Reclamation Area. Shots were fired as their pick-up truck stopped at a red light at an intersection on Pope John Paul Avenue.

Quoting the couple’s companion, Macatangay said they were not able to react immediately as shards of glass started hitting them.

 "According sa katong kuyog nila, wa dayon sila naka-react kay pagsugod og fire, ang mga splinters sa bildo, naigo iyang mata, wa na sad siya ka-react… the next thing he knew, nagdugo na iyang mga kuyog," Macatangay said.

The companion told the police initially that there was more than one suspect and were wearing black jackets and helmets.

Investigation

A Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) has been formed to look into the incident. The group is composed of members of the Investigation and Detection Management Unit (IDMU) and investigators from the Mabolo Police Station.

Police are now gathering possible CCTV footage at the area.

Macatangay said they are looking at the possibility that Barandog may be the prime target given the number of shots fired at him.

Barandog is an active police officer with accomplishments in the campaign against illegal drugs and illegal gambling.

"Ang amoa gud gitan-aw karon kay iyang pagka-police (Barandog), iyang accomplishments sa iyang pagka-police," Macatangay said.

Still, other possible motives are not being discounted.

"Work-related, personal, business, relationships, politics, and many more," Macatangay said.

Investigation will also cover if Barandog’s presence in Cebu at that time was work-related considering that he has been assigned to the personnel holding unit in Camp Crame two weeks prior.

Barandog used to be connected with the Cebu City Mobile Force.

Caña, for her part, was a barangay captain of Calamba in Cebu City and former administrator of the Cebu City Medical Center.

Not Election-related

Despite Caña running for office, Macatangay said the incident could not be considered election-related. For now, it is labeled a 'suspected election-related incident'.

"As the investigation progresses, hangtod karong mga orasa, nakahukom both atong mga investigators on the ground and atong headquarters that this cannot be categorized as election related incident," Macatangay said the day after the shooting.

“Party-list man ni sila… what could benefit a political party when going against a party-list?" she said.

At City Hall, Mayor Michael Rama called for a swift resolution of the case.

“Subo nga palandungon nga nahitabo kini karon. Ang kasulbaran sa maong krimen will provide a political climate nga magmadasigon ang mga mamutar nga gawasnong makapadayag sa ilang pilionon,” Rama said.

“We wish that this whole thing has to be solved because we are now in much upper gear in the political climate and we need everybody to have the feel that the City of Cebu is peaceful and orderly, and it is a serious directive,” he said.

He called for prayer for peace and sobriety leading to the May 9 polls.

“As mayor, I want that right protected and promoted,” Rama said.

Still Peaceful

Meanwhile, Lawyer Edwin Cadungog, acting election officer of the city’s North District, said the city is still “very peaceful.”

He considers the shooting as an isolated incident.

He also said the incident cannot be classified as election-related if the reason behind the shooting is not political. Still, he will wait for the result of the police investigation.

“Akong gipaabot ang investigation sa police kay sila man gyu’y first hand nga authority nga maoy mo-investigate ani nga sitwasyon, so dili gyud ko makahatag og definite nga answer,” Cadungog said. — Mary Ruth R. Malina,  JMO (FREEMAN)