More raps for suspect in rob-slay of priest

CEBU, Philippines – Additional charges for possession of illegal drugs have been filed against one of the four men accused of killing Fr. Jovencio Rabusa last Monday night in a dimly-lit area along the South Coastal Road in barangay Cansojong, Talisay City.

Charges for violation of Section 11 of the Dangerous Drugs Act have been filed against Gerald Tradio after he was arrested by responding policeman last week.

Policemen were able to recover two packets of shabu from him during his arrest.

Police are also expected to file illegal possession of firearms charges against him as he was also arrested with an unlicensed gun.

Aside from the drug charges, Tradio is also facing robbery with homicide for the death of the priest.

Tradio denied involvement in the shooting of Rabusa but admitted selling Rabusa’s cellphone for P1,200.

Robbery with homicide charges were also filed in court against the other suspects Ruselo Ravanes, Jonas Torawan and a 15-year-old boy

Meanwhile, Talisay City policemen, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-7, Mandaue City policemen and six civilians were awarded yesterday in the Police Regional Office-7 headquarters.

Talisay police chief Supt. Henry Biñas and his men SPO1s Oliver Dacua and Margiennette Yosores, PO3s Arnold Damasco, Benjamin Sebellita, Joel Rosales, Eric Enad and Louie Alalim, PO2s Rey Bucao, Roy Sarsaba, Leandro Azarcon, Narciso Alforque, Lino Diez, Roy Lofranco, Francisco Keyserling Gorosin and Ferdinand Pablo and PO1s Marciano Parayday, Jundave David, Stephen Sefuesca, Erwin Denila and Reynaldo Hoybia were given the Medalya ng Kasanayan for the arrest of the suspects in Rabusa’s killing.

Biñas said that they never expected the award as they are just doing their jobs as police officers.

Supt. Eduardo Saavedra, SPO4 Bernabe Coyoca, SPO3 Edison Torres, PO3 Eliezer Canada, PO2 Loman Plaza of San Francisco Police Station and CIDG operatives Chief Insp. Rogarth Campo and SPO2 Delfin Bontuyan were also awarded for the capture of Torawan in Poro town, Camotes Island.

Civilians who received certificates of appreciation for the arrest of the suspects were San Roque, Talisay City, barangay captain Antonio Cabrera Jr., Cansojong barangay tanod Romeo Manlosa, Gerardo Davis Jr., Dante Tamoo and Julius Labuca of Globelines.

Several Mandaue policemen also received the Medalya ng Kasanayan award for the immediate arrest of the suspect who killed LBC Express Inc. employee Eugenio Agmata during a robbery also last Monday.

Sr. Supt. Orlando Ualat, Insp. Gregorio Aniñon, SPO1s Rice Cabatingan, Arnulfo Quiachon Jr., Kerwin Bejer, PO3 Roberto Neri, PO2 Roy Andrin and PO1s Crestito Raboy, Girlee Nadena and Charisma Gonzales were commended for the arrest of Steve Go, and Jhulmar Isales in barangay Basak Pardo, Cebu City. 

Basak barangay captain Dave Tumulak was also given a certificate of appreciation for his help. — Jasmin R. Uy and Christopher C. Bonjoc/BRP (THE FREEMAN)