Cops preparing data for Senate inquiry into Cebu killings

CEBU, Philippines — Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7) is now preparing data on killings in Cebu in anticipation of a Senate inquiry.

Chief Superintendent Debold Sinas, director of PRO-7, said he was told by Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Oscar Albayalde during a closed-door meeting in Lapu-Lapu City Tuesday to prepare for the pertinent documents.

"Nagstorya mi niya niana siya, 'O, Debold be ready. In case naa we will go'," Sinas said.

Sinas said they will be "happy" to submit the documents to the Senate. "If the Senate needs the data, we will comply. No problem with us," he said.

He, however, expressed concern over the motive of politicians.

With the midterm elections fast approaching, he said some may have politicized the issue to gain publicity.

Based on previous reports, a total of 254 drug personalities have died in “legitimate” police operations from July 2016, the time President Duterte stepped into power, to October this year.

Of the number, 131 deaths were reported in Cebu, 37 in Mandaue City, 31 in Bohol, 16 in Negros Oriental, 15 in Cebu City, 12 in Lapu-Lapu City, and Siquijor with no record of any death. The remaining police units from PRO-7 recorded 12 deaths.

Senate minority bloc filed Monday an inquiry into Cebu killings.

The series of murders in Cebu – those staged by unknown assailants – raised Senator Grace Poe’s curiosity after she heard reports that the killings happen almost daily. In fact, during the first two weeks of October, more than 40 people were killed extra-judicially across the province.

Among the people killed by unidentified gunmen were high-ranking officials like former Barangay Lagtang Councilor Marc Ferdinand Bas and his son Art Stephen Bas, Ronda Mayor Mariano Blanco and his vice mayor Jonnah John Ungab. Two agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-7 were also part of the list.—  KBQ (FREEMAN)