Police to arrest suspects in shootout before year ends

CEBU - A week since the politically charged shootout in barangay Cabungahan in Naga City, residents in the area are slowly putting their lives back to normal as they celebrate the barangay’s fiesta tomorrow.

But the relief may be temporary until authorities arrest the gunmen whose bullet claimed the life of a pregnant woman last October 12. Naga City Police Station chief Renato Malazarte said they intend to arrest the suspects before the year ends. 

On the list are Richard Bacus, Ronald Paunil and Bernadine Gentica. Supporters of the barangay’s former barangay captain, Epifanio Gentica, identified the three.

Also in the list is a certain Edwin Sayaboc who has a standing warrant of arrest for murder and who allegedly triggered the shoot out last October 12. Sayaboc is a supporter of incumbent Cabungahan barangay captain Fedrico Cabizares.

Unlike the past week, classes at the Cabungahan Elementary School have also gone back to normal with 100 percent attendance of students.

Floreste Adlawan, teacher in charge of Cabungahan Elementary School, said students slowly started going back to school late last week. The shootout occurred at the school’s basketball court.

Shortly after the incident, parents did not want their children to leave their houses, especially with reports of armed persons within the vicinity.

To neutralize the tension, four personnel of Naga police and four members of the Special Reaction Unit from the Cebu Provincial Police Office have been detailed in the barangay. — Ferliza C. Contratista/JMO (THE FREEMAN)