2 tipsters to get P200T reward

CEBU, Philippines — Two informants who provided the vital information that led to the death of an alleged notorious hitman wanted for murder in Talisay City are expected to receive a bounty from the city government.

Talisay City Chief of Police Superintendent Jason Villamater said two civilian informants helped authorities in locating the whereabouts of Jessie Largo, the prime suspect in the killing of Jhon Ronli Calizar, son of Philippine Information Agency information officer and former The FREEMAN reporter Ferliza Contratista.

Largo was killed in a shootout with the police late on Monday afternoon in Sitio Aromahan, Barangay Dumlog in Talisay City.  He had been the subject of a manhunt operation since August.

Talisay City Mayor Eduardo Gullas has vowed to give P200,000 reward to the tipsters. The mayor is expected to issue today a statement about the reward.

Villamater said series of validations and surveillance operations were made before conducting the operation.

"Validated lahat ng information kasi mabu-burn out tayo, para lang tayong nambubulabog," he said.

He said Largo was asked to surrender but the latter refused.

Villamater said a shootout ensued when Largo tried to shoot the operatives of Talisay police and Regional Intelligence Division, prompting them to retaliate.

Police Officer 3 was injured during the exchange of gunfire. He is now recuperating from gunshot wound to his left face in a private hospital in Cebu City.

In a statement, Contratista said it would have been best if Jessie was caught alive.

“True, in our rage, we wanted immediate justice to be served. But as time passed, we realized our problem is just a jagged tip of a submerged issue of crime, government accountability and community involvement,” the statement read.

“We realized Jessie alive has more value than when he is cold and dead. I, as a mother deprived of a son, wanted to see through Jessie's eyes and hopefully piece through a clue in this struggle for a way out of the puzzling world of drugs and organized crime. Now that Jessie is reportedly killed in joint police operations, we can't help but wonder if Jessie's death can bring back our son; or this buries with him the key that unlocks the grip of organized crime reaching deep in the echelons of government,” it added. 

For their part, Largo’s family has accepted his death.

“Dawat na namo unsa nahitabo sa akong kuya kay kahibaw man ko nakasala siya,” said the suspect’s younger brother, Jeson, 22.

Jeson denied that their family knows the whereabouts of Jessie. He said that after Jessie was freed from prison last year, he had been staying with his friends rather than his family.

Villamater said Largo’s house and that of his parents are located in the same compound. (FREEMAN)