Cebu City’s most wanted shot dead by cops

CEBU, Philippines - Police shot dead Rodrigo Labitad, Cebu City’s most wanted person, in an encounter in Barangay Pamutan, Cebu City Sunday evening.

Labitad, 51, who was wanted for murder and rape had been hiding from authorities for almost two decades after he escaped from his security escorts on September 6, 1993.

He had been identified as the fifth most wanted person in Central Visayas and the most hunted in Cebu City with a bounty of P300,000.

Labitad has an arrest warrant for murder and rape issued by Judge Teofilo Buslon of Regional Trial Court Region 7 Branch 23 dated June 9, 1994.

Last Sunday, Labitad had a drinking session inside the house of Pamutan Barangay Councilor Clemente Rago when a tipster informed the police about his presence in the area.

Members of the Investigation and Detective Management Branch (IDMB) of the Cebu City Police Office proceeded to the area to serve the warrant.

Police Chief Inspector Bonifacio Garciano said that when Labitad saw the police officers, he shot at them but missed.

PO3 Philip Ray Alcazar shot back hitting Labitad in the chest and right underarm causing his instantaneous death.

Garciano believed that Labitad has been staying in Barangay Pamutan but his neighbors were afraid to inform the authorities.

When asked about the possible liability of Councilor Rago, Garciano said that they will conduct further investigation on the matter.

Police recovered from Labitad one .45 caliber pistol with seven live ammunition, one fragmented hand grenade, 34 live ammunition for .45 caliber pistol placed in an empty cigarette pack and a jungle bolo.

Labitad’s remains were brought to St. Francis Funeral Homes for autopsy.

In January this year, authorities also had an encounter with Labitad.  He sustained a gunshot wound but still managed to elude arrest.

Police Regional Office (PRO)-7 director Marcelo Garbo Jr. revealed that Alcazar will be given an award and commendation.

Garbo tasked Senior Supt. Louie Oppus, Deputy Regional Director for Operations, to facilitate the giving of the recognition.

Labitad’s bounty will be given to the tipster.

Garbo explained that the operatives who conducted the operation against Labitad will apply for the claim of the reward and will undergo a deliberation process before it can be released to the tipster.

Labitad was a former member of an anti-communist group.

In 1989, he and one Laurencio Labitad were charged of murder for allegedly killing Joseph Julian Torreda in Sitio Cambawog, Campo 4 in Talisay City.

Rodrigo was earlier arrested by the police but Laurencio remained at large.

But on September 6, 1993, Rodrigo escaped and had been in hiding since then.

On February 23, 2005, Rodrigo, through his counsel, Glen Villariza, filed a notice of formal appearance with motion to dismiss before the court.

Villariza, in his motion, stated that due to the lapse of time, it was “unreasonable for the state to present evidence” against his client.

On March 2, 2005, Judge Generosa Labra of RTC Branch 23 denied the motion filed by the accused for lack of merit. — Mylen P. Manto, Ria Mae Booc, Julit C. Jainar (FREEMAN)