Cops to get cash reward for suspect's quick arrest

CEBU, Philippines - The members of the Cebu City Police Office who were responsible for the immediate arrest of the self-confessed killer of independent candidate Cresistomo “Tata Negro” Llaguno will receive a cash reward from the city government for their exemplary performance.

Mayor Tomas Osmeña yesterday announced that he will give cash reward to PO3 Arthur Sabang and PO2 Edcel Peticio, both are members of the Special Weapons and Tactics and SPO2 Ronnie Alfafara and PO1 Chona Lugo, both of Parian Police Station who arrested Jimmy Diala. The mayor however did not say how much.

They were also given certificates commendation by CCPO chief Patrocinio Comendador.

The members of the Cebu City police quickly arrested Diala onboard a passenger jeepney at Sikatuna Street while trying to escape after shooting Llaguno in Barangay Lorega-San Miguel last Tuesday.

Diala, a native from Siaton town in Negros Oriental, confessed to the killing and claimed having paid to do the job by a certain Rendo Chavez.

Osmeña admired the policemen who arrested Diala because of the swiftness of their action and even confiscated the alleged murder weapon, a 45 caliber pistol and few rounds of ammunition.

The mayor criticized his political nemesis, former mayor Alvin Garcia, for allegedly using Llaguno’s murder as an alibi for cancelling their Miting de Avance. Garcia earlier said that they are worry of their safety after Llaguno’s death forcing them to cancel some of their sorties including the scheduled rally at the Fuente Osmeña Rotunda.

However, the mayor said the real reason why Kusug has cancelled their Miting de Avance is because only a few people are expected to attend.

According to the mayor, he expected only 500 persons to attend the Kusug Miting de Avance.

Meanwhile, Comendador said that former senator John Henry “Sonny” Osmeña cannot just ask any other agency to meddle in their investigation. The police official reacted to Sonny’s call for the National Bureau of Investigation to conduct a parallel investigation into the incident because he does not trust the city police.

 “There is no law for any person to ask another unit to investigate a case. Even the family of the victim cannot dictate who can investigate the case,” Comendador said.

Comendador added that the CCPO has already filed the murder case against Diala.

“We are not allowing ourselves to become political. We will investigate this with all impartiality and objectivity,” he added. — Rene U. Borromeo and Niña G. Sumacot/FPL (THE FREEMAN)