Tata Negro is gunned down

CEBU, Philippines - A controversial candidate for councilor of the North District of Cebu City was gunned down yesterday afternoon while he was campaigning in barangay Lorega-San Miguel.

Cresistomo ‘Tata Negro’ Llaguno, who is running as an independent and was alleged to be a drug lord, was shot six times just outside the gym of Lorega-San Miguel while shaking hands with the electorate.

Llaguno was also the alleged drug lord, who was tagged as the one being protected by Vice Mayor Michael Rama, who is seeking the mayoralty on Monday as standard-bearer of the ruling Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK).

Rama even filed a case against another bet for councilor in the North, James Philip ‘Jimboy’ Tionko, who accused him of being a coddler of a drug lord.

Llaguno, 35, was shot around 3 p.m. and was immediately rushed to the Chong Hua Hospital by his family, who were with him. He was declared dead at 5:30 p.m.

It did not however take long after the shooting for the police to arrest the alleged gunman, who was identified as Jimmy Dialia, 45, a resident of Siaton, Negros Oriental.

Dialia was arrested in front of the Zapatera Elementary School by elements of the Special Weapons and Tactics team of the Cebu City Police.

The suspect was on board a jeepney when he was nabbed.

Llaguno’s family believes that the reason for the killing was politics, but the police say that the motive could be the victim’s alleged involvement in illegal drugs.

A male witness, who requested anonymity, alleged that he was about a meter away from Llaguno who began shaking hands with the residents in the barangay when he saw the suspect also shake hands with the candidate.

While shaking Llaguno’s hand, the suspect used his other hand in shooting the victim twice.

The candidate was hit on the left neck and below the left armpit.

The suspect allegedly tried to flee, but upon seeing the victim crawling, he shot him four more times.

The family of the victim claimed that the suspect visited their headquarters in Sambag II thrice looking for Llaguno to ask for either food or financial help.

The last time the suspect was seen talking with Llaguno was about two weeks ago.

Pedro Maloloy-on, one of the residents alleged that he saw the suspect drinking beer while calling someone by cellular phone prior to the incident. Dialia allegedly stood up when Llaguno arrived.

Romar Llaguno, 29, a cousin of the victim, said he was parking the motorcycle he was riding when the incident happened.

Llaguno had three gunshot wounds on the left side of his body, two on the right and was also hit once on the neck.

Maria Thalia Llaguno Hellstern, elder sister of Cresistomo, believes that the person or persons behind the incident are her brother’s rivals in politics.

“Pag-campaign niya sa Mabolo mga four weeks ago kay naa ma’y tulo ka-armadong tawo nga mi-posting, ‘nya nakabantay na man siya (Llaguno), so wala na siya magpadayon og pangampanya,” Hellstern said.

She alleged the victim had been receiving threats through text messages, but just ignored them as it was only natural for a political candidate.

She added that the victim, their youngest brother and seventh among 12 siblings, was a good man.

Hellstern also denied the report that her brother was a drug lord.

“Wala na siya malambigit sa illegal. Suportado namo na siya. Lima mi ka-magsuon na puro foreigner ang mga bana ‘nya mag-amot-amot mi para gasto niya. In fact, duha ka-abroad nakong igsoon nag-amotay og tag-2 million para pangampanya niya,” she said.

POLICE THEORY

Sr. Supt Patrocinio Comendador, Director of Cebu City Police Office, believes that the motive behind the incident were “personal grudges stemming from illegal drugs.”

“We understood their sentiments but we don’t incline to believe readily na politically-related. Firstly because councilor is not a hot seat and secondly, he (Llaguno) is not a top contender,” Comendador said.

Asked if they will recommend to the Comelec that the city be included in their watchlist with this incident, the CCPO Director said they have no basis at all to do so. He said that this is an isolated case.

Comendador said they will verify the statement of the suspect, who was subjected to a tactical interrogation, that the victim ordered him to sell illegal drugs.

“Something na cash na wala ma-remit though for verification pa ni,” he said. – with Jessica Ann R. Pareja and Jasmin Uy-Labaco/NLQ (FREEMAN NEWS)