CCPO now has suspect behind Yape’s murder

CEBU, Philippines — Authorities have now identified suspects behind the murder of Police Col. Joie Yape, former chief of the Provincial Intelligence Branch of Cebu Provincial Police Office, who was shot dead by riding-in-tandem last November 21.

Cebu City Police Office acting director Colonel Geovanie Maines told the reporters yesterday that they are now eyeing a suspect behind Yape’s case.

“Meron. Pero hindi ko muna masasabi sa inyo kasi under investigation, pag-aaralan muna namin,” Maines said.

Maines, however, hinted that they are focusing on Yape’s work as former PIB chief.  He said they are backtracking his previous assignments and said that it is one of the angles they are looking at.

Maines said they are now developing the witnesses’ testimony in their investigation. They are also analyzing the CCTV footages in the area which are now on enhancement process.

Maines added that they cannot fully develop their investigation at present since they still cannot contact Yape’s wife, who was reportedly walking with the victim when the incident happened.

“We have not yet make contact with the wife kasi ang usapan kasi kailangan namin yung wife, kasi sya yung magfi-file ng kaso and baka may mga revelation din syang masasabi,” Maines said.

However, Maines pointed out that he has already instructed the Special Intelligence Task Group (SITG) to connect with Yape’s wife to be able to get a lead on their investigation.

Meanwhile, on the other shooting incidents that recently transpired under the jurisdiction of Cebu City, Maines has instructed his men to intensify the investigation.

Last Friday, a daughter of a former Barangay Captain of Barangay Jagoliao, Getafe, Bohol was shot dead inside her house by two unidentified perpetrators in Barangay Suba, Cebu City past midnight.

Maines emphasized that it is not acceptable to him to just slack off in the investigation considering that the victims were ‘common people’.

“I told them na those series of shooting incident is not acceptable to me na parang pinapabayaan nyo na lang ba dahil yung mga biktima ay mga taong, regular guys or common na tao?” Maines said.

“Definitely within this week, may update na yan kasi yan yung tinutukan ko talaga,” Maines assured. (FREEMAN)