5 face murder charges for shooting brgy councilman

CEBU, Philippines - A month after the death of a councilman of barangay Manatad, Sibonga, Cebu, the police has finally filed a criminal complaint before the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office against the assailants.

Charged for murder are respondents Godofredo “Junie” Manzanades, Jampoy “Jimboy” Mejares, Freddie Carillo, Rocky Bernabe Celada and unidentified cohorts, all residents of Barangay Mompelier, Argao, Cebu.

The live-in partner of the late Gomersindo Sabanal, Teresita Handumon, has executed an affidavit as private complainant against the respondents.

Sabanal was shot dead on October 13, 2013 at around 8:00 in the evening by a motorcycle riding in tandem criminals.

“That on the said time and date while I was inside at my house watching television, I heard several loud sound rang outside and when I checked and verified the same I was very shocked upon discovering that my live-in partner was shot and lying on the bamboo bench unconscious and bathed with his own blood,” Handumon recounted.

She said that it was later she learned from their employees of their lumber business that the day before Sabanal was killed, several persons “suspiciously kept on tracking” the whereabouts of her live-in partner in various times on board a Suzuki Smash color white motorcycle.

The Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) is set to give commendation to Sibonga Police head, Chief Insp. Bonifacio Tecson, for working on the case.

CPPO Director, Sr. Supt. Noel Gillamac, said they are now waiting for the warrant of arrest so they could arrest the suspects.

Tecson told The FREEMAN that suspects are still hiding in the mountain areas not far from his jurisdiction.

“Manago lang diha unya taguan man pud na sila sa mga tao kay mahadlok siguro kay armado man,” Tecson said.

Tecson disclosed that one of the suspects, Manzanades, is involved in at least eight shooting incidents not only in Sibonga but also in Argao and in Cebu City.

Manzanades has pending criminal charges in Argao and Sibonga after he was figured in shooting incidents but some of the complainants refused to file charges due to fear.

“Sa akong nahibaw-an nalutsan na siya og warrant pero naka-on bail ni siya karon ug kining uban ani mga batan-on pa kaayo 18, 19,” Tecson said in a phone interview.— (FREEMAN)