Bakud: No politics in Liloan shooting

CEBU, Philippines - Leaders of Barug Alang sa Kauswagan ug Demokrasya (Bakud) Party in the fifth district firmly believe that there was no politics involved in the shooting of the campaign manager of Liloan Mayor Vincent Franco “Duke” Frasco who is also his uncle.

The Liloan Police yesterday said initial results of their investigation show that the killing of Marlito “Titi” Cañete was done by professional gunmen and was well planned.

Mayor Frasco instructed the Philippine National Police in the town to conduct a thorough investigation so that the perpetrators would be swiftly brought to justice.

Acting Governor Agnes Magpale said that what they learned was business related and not political.

“We will just wait for the police report,” Magpale said.

Magpale said that the incident cannot cause alarm in the political situation in the fifth district where Liloan is part of.

Her son, Provincial Board Member Miguel Antonio Magpale, also supported the claim of her mother.

Miguel extended his condolences to the victim’s family.

“As far as we know, makapasalig ko ana, dili gyud na politically motivated,” Miguel said. (I can assure you there’s no politics there.)

Miguel stressed that in their party, there may be differences in governance and the shifting of political alliances by some of their members but they don’t resort to such kind of actions.

Frasco used to be member of Bakud Party but the party severed its alliance with One Cebu Party led by suspended Governor Gwendolyn Garcia who is his mother-in-law.

Miguel said the incident was an isolated case and if needed, they will assist Frasco and the victim’s family in solving the case.

Cañete was shot dead while reading a newspaper outside his house early morning Tuesday in Barangay Poblacion, Liloan.

The unidentified gunman reportedly went near Cañete and shot him once in the head around 7:30 a.m.

The gunman’s cohort was waiting for him in a motorcycle without plate number a few meters away from scene.  They speed off towards the north.

Witnesses said the attacker and his companion were seen across the road as if waiting for someone several minutes before the shooting.

The gunman then crossed the road and shot Cañete while at a sari-sari store beside Titay’s Rosquillos, owned by the Frascos.

A press conference was called yesterday by Mayor Frasco and Liloan Police Chief, Inspector Leo Ty.

Police learned from the daughter of Cañete that her father told her somebody was monitoring his movements.

Ty said they are still investigating all possible angles of the killing which includes politics, but they are still verifying information gathered by his investigators.

Ty further said that they are also gathering more information from witnesses who came out and provide information.

He asks cooperation from witnesses for the cartographic sketch of the assailants.

Frasco said Cañete was a campaign manager even during the time of his late father, mayor Panphil “Dodong Daku” Frasco until 2010 when he sought reelection.

Mayor Frasco described Titi as a good man who loved his family and always had in his mind the welfare of the people of Liloan.

Frasco said his uncle left behind his wife, Lisa, and children Katrina and Carlo.

“We are deeply shocked and saddened by this brazen act of violence in our peaceful town,” said Mayor Frasco.

“I, my family and all Liloanons mourn the loss of a good man and unite in our resolve for justice to prevail,” he added.

Having been an asset to his group, Cañete’s death is a loss but Frasco said this will not affect him and his group this coming election.

He also belittled the possibility for the killing to be made as basis to declare Liloan under Comelec control, saying that the town, despite the incident, is a peaceful place.

Ty, on the other hand, said that they will also coordinate with other police agencies although Frasco trusts the capability of the town policemen to handle the case.  —(FREEMAN)