Chinese authorities here for consul shooting probe

CEBU, Philippines - Representatives from China’s Ministry of Public Safety are in Cebu to observe in the ongoing investigation into the shooting of two Chinese consuls last week.

Police Regional Office 7 Director Prudencio Tom Bañas said the group from Beijing is composed of at least 10 investigators and forensics experts.

The group is here as part of a consular agreement between China and the Philippines, which provides that crimes involving Chinese diplomats will be prosecuted in China.

Bañas said the Chinese have requested for assistance from the Philippine police for support in their investigators.

“I have to seek clearance from the higher ups as to what extent we can extend our help,” Bañas said.

He said the findings of the Cebu City Police Office will be used by the Chinese police in prosecuting spouses Li Quing Liang and Guo Jing who are also consuls.

“Napalaking balita ito sa China kaya daghan silang pinapunta dito. First time for them to have members of the same consulate nga na-involve sa crime,” Bañas said.

The suspects shot dead Deputy Consul General Sun Shan and finance officer Hui Li at the tail end of a birthday lunch at Lighthouse restaurant in Cebu City. Consul General Song Rong Hua, the celebrator, was also hit but survived.

Bañas said the Chinese ambassador has expressed his gratitude to the Philippine government for its quick action on the matter.

Meanwhile, at City Hall, Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella said he would suggest to Mayor Michael Rama that the city government “protest” the “voluntary deportation” of the suspects.

He said the couple should not have been allowed to leave the city because the crime was committed here.

“We have to make known our protestation, our objection on the summary of the deportation. It’s not deportation because it was voluntarily on their part. Not the state authorities deported them, but it was summary in the sense that there should have been an investigation conducted first because they are covered under our criminal justice system,” he added.

In line with this, Bañas said the police office is now investigating the police officer who allegedly failed to “follow specific instruction from his direct supervisor to secure the two suspects.”

“I have already directed the OIC to conduct an investigation. There were certain lapses with our policemen… if naay lapses, we have a critic so that we can correct these lapses,” he said.  (FREEMAN)