Special team formed to probe death of Samboan barangay Chief

CEBU, Philippines - The Police Regional Office-7 has organized a special team to investigate the killing of Cirilo Deniega, the barangay captain of Monteverde in the southern town of Samboan.

Deniega, 38, was shot dead past midnight yesterday at his residence in sitio Cantumare, barangay Monteverde by a still unidentified suspect. The special investigating team will also determine the motive of the killing.

The team is headed by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-7 and composed of investigators from the Regional Investigation and Detective Management Division, Regional Intelligence Division, Regional Crime Laboratory, Provincial Intelligence and Investigation Bureau of the Cebu Provincial Police Office.

Initial Investigation conducted by the Samboan police showed that Deniega was awakened when the assailant opened fire in front of his house. When he went out to check, the suspect shot him three times, hitting him on the head and on his back. The three bullets were enough to kill him instantly.

Police recovered two empty shells of a .45 caliber pistol, a plastic bottle that contained gasoline, a lighter and a flashlight from the crime scene.

Deniega’s aunt who lives some 20 meters away from his house said cash amounting to P10,000 is reportedly missing, which might have been taken away by the suspect.

Sr. Insp. Enrique Belciña of the Regional Police Community Relations said politics is one of the angles the police are looking into. No witness has surfaced as of yesterday. — Niña G. Sumacot/JMO    (FREEMAN NEWS)