DILG: Medellin worker not dead from gunshot

CEBU, Philippines - Medellin mayor’s squad member Edilberto “Delbi” Abao’s death was not caused by the gunshot wound in his leg but by cardiac arrest, according to the investigation conducted by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

DILG 7 Director Pedro Noval disclosed that their fact-finding investigation would show Abao died of cardiac arrest, while the statement of the victim before he died could not be considered as “dying declaration”.

According to Edilito “Bimbim” Abao, son of Delbi, his father was shot by Medellin Mayor Ricardo Ramirez. Bimbim added that his father was still in good health when they had the conversation.

In a GMA 7 report yesterday, Noval said that the statement of Delbi made before he died could not be considered as a “dying declaration” as claimed by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) revealed.

“According sa anak baskog pa kuno iyang papa pag-estorya nila,” Noval said in a TV interview.

A report on the investigation conducted by the DILG is now furnished to the Office of the Ombudsman- Visayas, to the PNP and to the Office of the Governor as well as to DILG Secretary Jessie Robredo.

Ramirez reiterated his denial in the shooting of Abao, 57, of barangay Caputatan Sur. He said they were like brothers.

Abao died after a surgery in the Severo Verallo Hospital where he was taken on the evening of December 27.

Ramirez had warned the policemen to check the credibility of their witnesses. He vowed to file counter charges as soon as he is cleared.

He was asked for a paraffin test but he begged off, as he would test positive anyway. He said he and Delbi were test-firing his licensed firearm on the same day Abao was shot.

Ramirez had asked the police to conduct a paraffin test on Delbi as this would corroborate his claim, but he later learned that the investigators did not conduct one.

 As Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) Director Erson Digal named him as a principal suspect without first taking his side, Ramirez had an outburst and a word war ensued between the two.

Assistant Deputy Ombudsman of the Visayas, Virginia Palanca-Santiago said that they are still waiting for the final investigation made by the CIDG and the PNP before they will conduct their own investigation.

Palanca said that if the investigation submitted by the law enforcement agencies will not satisfy them, they will conduct their own investigation.

“If ma-satisfy mi maoy among basehan pero kung dili mohimo mi’g among kaugalingong imbestigasyon,” Palanca said in GMA7 news interview.(If we are not satisfied with their report, we will make our own probe.)

Palanca added that if the incident is work-related they can push through with the case up to the Sandiganbayan but if not, they will take the matter up before the Regional Trial Court (RTC). – (FREEMAN)