Police ready charges vs grenade blast suspects

CEBU, Philippines - Two cases will be filed against the suspects in the grenade explosion that killed an eatery owner and injured two people in barangay Carreta, Cebu City last Wednesday afternoon.

Cases for murder and frustrated murder will be filed against Alvin Cabang, 24, and 40-year-old Eldie Mahinay, who were arrested in Mandaue City. Another suspect is still at large.

The alleged “middlemen” would be included in the filing of charges, said Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) Director Melvin Ramon Buenafe, who considers the case as partly solved.

The Homicide Section of the Cebu City Police Office is now tracing the alleged mastermind of the incident, Enrique “Eking” Bataluna, who is from Compostela town, as well as the middleman who communicated with the suspects through telephone.

Buenafe refuses to disclose further information.

According to SPO2 Marcelino Servilla, Compostela police investigator, Eking Bataluna is a nephew of a former barangay Cabadiangan councilor who also owns Wiggy’s Beach Resort in barangay Jubay, Liloan.

The resort also serves as a hangout of the Akrho fraternity, of which “Eking” is allegedly a member.

The investigator told The Freeman that “Eking” was once a subject of surveillance having been linked to a robbery incident in 2007 but the complainant did not file a case against him. He was also monitored for his alleged involvement in illegal drugs.

 Mahinay reportedly identified “Eking” as the mastermind who promised them P10,000. Cabang claimed he was only included by Mahinay in the crime.

Eduardo Natividad, 60, was declared dead on arrival at the Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC). The grenade explosion cut his hands. His wife Rosita and grandson, Mark Vince Diola, suffered from multiple injuries.

Hours later, Cabang and Mahinay were arrested and detained separately. Cabang is detained in the CCPO stockade while Mahinay is jailed at the Mabolo police station. – (FREEMAN)