Former helper eyed in engineer's murder

CEBU, Philippines – The Talisay City police yesterday picked up a former helper of a cement factory engineer as possible suspect for the engineer's killing last Saturday night.

PO2 Jundave David, one of the investigators of the crime, said a certain "Tata" was being questioned yesterday with regards to last Saturday's ambush in Mansueto Village, barangay Bulacao, Talisay City, that killed Engr. Ernesto Porras, of Taiheiyo Cement Corp., and wounded his wife Ceferina.

David said "Tata" used to work with the family's softdrink wholesale business near a mall in Cebu City, but was terminated recently. He said they are currently looking into that angle but as of 6 p.m. yesterday, Ceferina, who is out of harm's way, has refused to talk to the police yet.

The Porras couple together with their 14-year-old daughter, and two helpers were on board their white Kia Sorento with license plate numbers YAZ-160 when ambushed by two men aboard a motorcycle in Barangay Bulacao, Talisay City Saturday night.

Ernesto died, while his wife sustained a gunshot wound in the chest. The rest of the passengers were left unscathed.

"Nafutbol kuno ni siya (Tata) bag-o lang. Pero karon, padayon pa gihapon ang imbestigasyon, and so far, dili pa makipag-estorya ang wife," said David.

Talisay City police chief Supt. Henry Biñas, meanwhile, was scheduled to visit the Taiheiyo office yesterday to personally investigate the incident.

Porras is the second Taiheiyo worker to become the victim of an ambush this year the first being Nestor Zamoras, Taiheiyo marketing manager, who was attacked last June 25 while driving his SUV in Barangay Kamputhaw, Cebu City.

He was lucky to survive the ambush however as his Ford Everest was bulletproofed.

Meanwhile, police have also formed Task Force Porras to conduct the investigation into the latest incident.

The said task force will be headed by Supt. Rodolfo Albutra of the Provincial Investigation and Detective Management Branch with Biñas. - Liv G. Campo and Mellanie C. Rosales, correspondent/BRP (FREEMAN)