Gun used in village chief’s killing belongs to cop?

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu Provincial Police Office is looking into the possibility that the high-powered firearm used in the killing of Toledo Barangay Captain Timoteo Largo last Tuesday belongs to a police officer or a member of the Armed Forces.

The firearm used by Dionesio Juarez was said to be an M16 riffle which is normally issued only to a police personnel or to a member of the army.

CPPO director Senior Supt. Noel Gillamac said they still need to verify the information since it was a high-powered firearm which is supposed to be in the possession only of PNP personnel.

“Wala’y confirmation but makaingon man gud ta nga high-powered man gud na, posible gikan na sa mga sources nga nag-deal sa armas kay high-powered man. But still ato nang i-check asa na gikan ng armasa nga supposed to be ang magkupot ana AFP or PNP personnel man,” Gillamac said.

Further, Gillamac said they are not discounting the possibility that the lost firearm of a police official in Alcantara may also be the firearm used by Juarez in killing Largo.

“Isusi nato asa gikan ang armas. Nawad-an man ta’g armas sa Alcantara so there’s a possibility nga mao na’y gigamit nga armas sa suspek,” Gillamac said.

Gillamac said the police official, who is now subject for grave misconduct, lost his firearm two months ago while he attended a fiesta celebration.

“There would be a part of the investigation to determine kung ang firearm nga gigamit ni Juarez kay possibly sa katong nawagtang.”

However, Gillamac clarified that there is no connection between the case of Juarez and the police official who lost his firearm.

Gillamac also clarified that Juarez is not a police tracker but a member of the Civil Security Unit before.

Until now, the operatives of the Cebu Provincial Intelligence Branch continue their manhunt operation against the suspect for the slaying of Largo.

 “Continue ang atong pag-manhunt niya even though pag-Friday ra na file ang kiha but still nagpadayon ang atong mga operatiba sa ilang manhunt,” Gillamac said. (FREEMAN)