Police say Pope’s case now closed

CEBU, Philippines - Unless there is move to reopen it, the case involving Canadian national John Pope is now closed, said Cebu City Police Office head Mariano Natuel.

“It’s up to them if naa’y mo-reopen. But for me, this case is already closed,” said Natuel.

He said the issue whether Pope shot himself to death or not has been resolved already with a credible witness who testified that he saw Pope shot himself to the head.

The witness’ testimony was strengthened by the evidence showing powder burns on the right temple of Pope’s head, which would only appear if one was shot from less than two feet.

Hair strands were found also on the barrel of Pope’s gun.

“Ready ta. We’re open for any agencies to investigate,” said Natuel when asked about their move should Pope’s family or any agency will reopen the case.

He said they were doing the proper procedure and there’s no whitewashing in the case.

“Trabaho gyud ning ato. As a matter of fact, mohatag gani unta ta og sympathy more on the victims,” the acting city police director said.

Natuel said he will submit to the task force all pieces of evidence, including the witness’ affidavit and the results of the paraffin tests on Pope and on the two police officers, the ballistic test on Pope’s gun, and result of the post mortem examination conducted on the Canadian’s body.

He said the task force, headed by Senior Supt. Orlando Ualat of the Police Regional Office 7, will give final resolution to the case today.

Right now, Natuel said, they are still looking into where Pope had acquired his guns.

The incident, he said, serves as a wakeup call for everybody, especially to offices to invest well in security.

“Magtihik-tihik sa pag-put up sa security kay kasagaran basta lang may security, di na mo-consider sa services sa usa ka security agency. Syempre kung mahal ang ibayad sa security, maayo sad ang serbisyong ihatag,” Natuel opined.

On January 22, Pope sneaked his guns into the Palace of Justice and shot dead Dr. Reynolds Rene Rafols and his lawyer Jubian Achas inside Branch 6.

The two were waiting for the hearing of the case that Rafols had filed against Pope.

Pope then shot assistant prosecutor Ma. Theresa Casiño, who remains under observation at the hospital.

PO2 Celso Rivera Jr. and PO1 Oriel Hagupit then responded and shot Pope to immobilize him.

But the Canadian immediately shot himself in the head.

Pope’s remains were cremated last Friday. His ashes are now with Ires Amadiong whom he had helped when he was still alive. — /LPM (FREEMAN)