Official linked to drug syndicate: San Fernando councilor killed

CEBU, Philippines — A town councilor linked to the drug syndicate of self-confessed drug lord Franz Sabalones was shot dead by four unidentified gunmen in Barangay South Poblacion, San Fernando, Cebu yesterday afternoon.

Councilor Reneboy Dacalos, 51, had just alighted from his Isuzu D-Max vehicle when the gunmen appeared from nowhere and started pumping bullets while inside the store of his brother-in-law. He died moments later in the hospital.

Dacalos was killed a day after another Sabalones underling, Tocelio Debalucos Ababon, died in an ambush while he was on his way to a court in Argao.

Dacalos was the second town official murdered in San Fernando in less than one year.

In March 2018, councilor Alexander Alicaway was also shot dead by unidentified assailants.

San Fernando Police Station chief Senior Insp. Arvi Arbuis said Dacalos was included in the drug matrix of Sabalones.

He was considered high-value target by them and had been visited thrice during the “Oplan Tokhang” but refused to surrender.

“Naa sa matrix ni Franz Sabalones and drug watchlist, kami na unta to mo-facilitate nga mo-surrender siya katulo but ni refuse. (He is in the drug matrix of Franz Sabalones and in the watchlist, we facilitated for his surrender thrice but he refused),” Arbuis said.

Arbuis added that he personally visited Dacalos and asked him to surrender to clear his name but the latter allegedly told him that he will first consult his lawyer.

Although the police could not pinpoint his role in the drug syndicate, Arbuis is certain that the councilor worked for Sabalones. Arbuis said they are looking at Dacalos’ ties with Sabalones as possible motive in the killing. The police, however, said they will also look into business rivalry and politics.

Dacalos owns a store and restaurant in the public market. He is also seeking reelection for councilor in the coming elections as independent candidate. Arbuis, however, admitted that among the three possible motives, his drug links has more weight.

The councilor’s wife denied her husband’s involvement in illegal drugs. She admitted that they are friends to Sabalones but are not involved in his activities.

“Pobre ra intawon mi. Mosugot ra man gani mi kaon og ginamos. Wala gyud na siya moduwa anang illegal nga drugas, masuko man gani na siya nga iyang mga tawo mogamit. ( We are just poor. We even eat salted fish. He was never involved in illegal drugs, he would even get mad at his people using drugs),” the wife told The FREEMAN.

She cried that it is unfair for the police to implicate her husband in the illegal drug activities of Sabalones. The family vowed to seek justice for the slain councilor.

“Hustisya among pangitaon kay dili makatarungan nga patyon ra ka kay abi nasuod mi niya. ( We are seeking for justice because it is unfair to be killed just because we are close to him),” she said.

The police are still evaluating whether a special investigation task force is to be created to look into the case.

Initial investigation revealed that the four gunmen were onboard two motorcycles. There were witnesses who saw them escaped towards Barangay North Poblacion after the shooting.

Arbuis said they are also checking the closed-circuit television cameras in the area to help them identify the culprits. Crime scene investigators recovered eight empty shells for caliber .45 pistol and three slugs. (FREEMAN)