From hospital, murder try suspect now in jail

CEBU, Philippines - One of the suspects who tried but failed to kill a Cebu City barangay captain and ended up getting shot was already released from the hospital and is now detained.

Froilan Orlanes, who was injured on his left calf, was still wearing crutches when he was brought to Fuente Police Station from Cebu City Medical Center yesterday morning.

He was one of the three suspects who reportedly tried to kill Babag barangay captain Cesar Dolorito last Wednesday but failed when the latter’s bodyguards noticed and shot them.

Chief Inspector Wildemar Tiu, chief of Fuente Police Station, said Orlanes underwent surgical operation because the bone on his left calf was broken when he was shot by one of Dolorito’s bodyguards.

Tiu added the attending physician already affirmed that Orlanes is already in a stable condition.

“Kinahanglan pa man nga i-dressing ang iyang samad so paningkamutan namo nga madali ni sila og dala sa Kalunasan kay naa man g’yud didto mga nurse nga mag-atiman sa mga samaran nga piniriso. Pero sa pagkakaron, naa man pud ta mga nurse nga mga pulis nga makatabang,” said Tiu.

Because of his wound, which needs special treatment, Tiu said Orlanes will be placed in a cell separate from other prisoners, including his cohort Charles Garces.

Their third companion, who they only knew by the name of Michael and allegedly the contact person of the mastermind of the botched assassination, is still at large.

“We are still coordinating with the City Intelligence Branch. We are gathering more intelligence information ilabi na sa messages didto sa phone nga nakuha gikan nila,” said Tiu.

The suspect’s mother Nida Orlanes was not able to hold her emotion when she was interviewed about her son.

She said her son is just an automobile mechanic and that she did not expect him to get involved in such crime.

“Wala g’yud na siya’y (derogatory) record sa among barangay intawon,” she said.

However, Tiu said it is evident in the footage from the closed-circuit television camera that Froilan has a participation in the attempted assassination.

“Bisan pa og igo ra siya nagdala sa motor, maklaro man sa iyang reaction nga kahibawo g’yud siya sa kung unsa ang motibo,” said Tiu.

Garces and Froilan are currently facing charges for frustrated murder. A separate case for illegal possession of firearm and ammunition was filed against Garces. — (FREEMAN)