In Guihulngan City: 2 persons of interest ID’d in murder of village chief

CEBU, Philippines — The police have identified two persons of interest who might have links to the murder of newly elected chairman Mike Jakosalem of Barangay Humay-Humay in Guihulngan City last June 24.

Superintendent Mario Baquiran, chief of the Guihulngan Police, told The FREEMAN in a phone interview that the two persons are suspected members of the New People's Army (NPA), although they have yet to confirm their affiliations once Jakosalem's immediate family members return from Cebu City.

Jakosalem died from his injuries, including a gunshot wound to the head, after 12 days of fighting for his life at a hospital in Cebu City. His house was fired at by more than 70 armed men, believed to be NPA rebels, at dawn of June 12, including that of his neighbor's, 24-year-old Lenmar Cabasag.

After the attack, the wounded Cabasag was rushed to the Guihulngan District Hospital but died a few hours after.

Jakosalem was first taken to a hospital in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental, and was later transferred to the Riverside Medical Center in Bacolod City. He was eventually brought to a hospital Cebu City, although in comatose, where he expired 12 days after the attack.

As of press time, the barangay chairman’s remains is laid at his residence at Barangay Subangdaku in Mandaue City, Baquiran said.

While they have not yet determined the motive of the shooting, Baquiran said the police are not discounting the possibility that the shooting was politically motivated.

The NPA's Leonardo Panaligan Command has taken responsibility for the incident, which they carried out to reportedly liquidate the incoming barangay chairman who it alleged was a member of a crime syndicate and a pusher of illegal drugs.

Baquiran, however, said that while they are considering the NPA as suspects, they are not necessarily buying the rebel group's statements because it has "made a lot of pronouncements lately." He further told The Freeman: "Upon checking PNP records, wala namang report na involved sa sindikato o sa droga ang biktima."

Baquiran earlier said that a possible reason why the NPA wanted Jakosalem dead was because of the late chairman’s staunch pro-government stance; especially that he was elected in a barangay known to be rebel bailiwick.

The police chief said that they are currently convincing the kin of both Jakosalem and Cabasag to press charges against the killers, who have yet to be identified.

Elements of the Guihulngan Police, together with the Philippine National Police’s Special Action Force, are still conducting hot pursuit operations against the armed men, who immediately fled to a hilly portion of Barangay Humay-Humay right after the assault. (FREEMAN)