For marine watchman's death: Murder case filed vs. 2 illegal fishers

CEBU, Philippines - The two men accused of killing Cordova marine watchman Rodrigo Sultan are now facing a murder case before the Cebu Provincial Prosecutors Office.

Luis Fernandez and Felipe Yongco allegedly threw Sultan, 50, a resident of Bantayan, Cordova, Cebu, into the sea after they were arrested for illegal fishing last December 20.

In his affidavit, PO2 Charlie Jao Valmoria said around 8 p.m. that day he and Sultan, together with other marine watchmen Ernesto Sosias, Roseller Cañete and Amador Inting who were on duty and conducted a seaborne patrol off the municipality of Cordova fronting Luking Islet.

Valmoria said they spotted three pump boats which they suspected were engaged in illegal fishing and approached.

He said they were able to apprehend one pump boat and he immediately instructed Sultan to board it and told the two fishermen on the boat who were still pulling their fine mesh nets that they were members of the Cordova Marine Watch and they were under arrest for illegal fishing.

The two would be later identified as Fernandez and Yongco.

When Sultan signaled that he was in control of the two illegal fishermen and their boat Valmoria said he and the others went after the second pump boat.

Valmoria said when they were able to apprehend the second pump boat and fishermen Ruben Biyaya and Noe Lastimosa, both residents of Barangay Pooc, Talisay City, he instructed Cañete and Inting to take charge of the second boat.

Valmoria and Sosias chased the third pump boat which was able to escape and was last seen heading to Talisay City.

He said he and Sosias decided to go back to the others to tell them to proceed to Day-as Wharf. However, Cañete said Sultan had already sailed ahead of them towards the wharf.

But when they arrived at the wharf Sultan did not arrive with his captives, they waited 30 minutes more then reported to the Cordova Police Station.

Sultan’s body was found floating off Luking Islet three days later.

The PNP Crime Laboratory said the victim had been choked and hacked. The right knee of Sultan allegedly bore blood traces.

The two suspects voluntarily surrendered to the barangay captain of Pooc, Talisay City, last Tuesday and claimed they did not intend to kill Sultan and were just defending themselves when Sultan allegedly pulled out a gun. — (FREEMAN)