NBI-7 joins probe into bank manager's killing

The National Bureau of Investigation-7 director Medardo De Lemos yesterday said they are now creating a task force to conduct their own investigation into the killing of Narciso Damole, manager of the Allied Bank AC Cortes Avenue branch, in Mandaue City last September 19.

The NBI came into the picture after Cebu City Vice Mayor Michael Rama yesterday said that there is a need to look into the possibility of murder and not to limit the investigation to robbery by chance.

Rama said he personally asked the NBI to conduct its own parallel investigation considering that Damole is a resident of Cebu City and a member of the Bankers Association.

"I hope the police would not set aside the murder side and this should be looked into intelligently. But the robbery by chance should be continued," Rama told reporters after the 888 Forum at Parklane Hotel yesterday.

Mandaue City Police Office intelligence division chief Insp. Marvin Dipaz said they are still pursuing the robbery by chance angle after two witnesses executed an affidavit identifying two noted robbers from Cebu City.

"Sa pagkakaron ang among gisubay ang angle nga gitulis gyud si Damole. If naa mogawas nga laing lead we can pursue it," Dipaz said.

Based on the testimony of the witnesses, the two robbers are said to be members of a local robbery group operating in the reclamation area.

Before he was killed, Damole had just left a meeting in Lapu-Lapu City and withdrew cash from the Allied Bank branch he managed. His car got a flat tire and he was fixing it when the two men came and robbed him, later shooting him dead. - Gregg M. Rubio and Ramil V. Ayuman/BRP