Prime suspect in cop’s killing denies allegation

CEBU, Philippines — Leonardo “Jun” Manto Jr., the alleged prime suspect in the killing of Police Captain Joel Deiparine, denied the allegations hurled against him and expressed his intention to surrender to the authorities.

In an exclusive phone interview with Atty. Ruphil Bañoc on DyHP radio yesterday afternoon, Manto said that when he arrived at his animal feed store in Sitio Balaw, Barangay Sudlon 2, Cebu City on board his pick-up truck, he was allegedly shot at by unknown people who were following them.

Manto said he did not initially believe the people he encountered were police officers. Manto said he thought the gunmen were among the shooters in Toledo City. He said the shooters were wearing bonnets and were riding a motorcycle without a license plate.

“Wa gyud ko magtuo nga mga pulis to. Kay kung kabaw pa ko mga pulis to, di to maingon ato mahitabo oy,” he said.

Manto, 42, said that he fired back at the unknown men out of self-defense. He said he chased them and managed to hit the backrider in the leg and in the head.

Manto said he even called his cousin, who is a police officer, asking for rescue because he was allegedly ambushed, but he was advised to call another police officer because he was in Bohol. He then asked his neighbors to help him call the police thinking that more armed men might arrive.

When asked about the allegations of having a warrant for his involvement in a gun-for-hire group, Manto defended himself by saying that all of his guns are licensed. He said he owned five firearms as a collection and because he also participates in shooting competitions.

Manto said he plans to give himself up today, October 30, at the Camp Crame - Philippine National Police (PNP) National Headquarters in Manila, citing safety concerns for himself and his family.

“Mo-surrender nalang ko kay akong pamilya luoy naman kaayo. Unya akong balay didto hurot na pod akong gamit didto gipanguha. Unya akong mga hayop hurot-hurot na. Akong mga iro didto gipamusil. Unya karon, naa na kunoy mga CCTV didto gipamutang didto duol sa akong balay,” said Manto.

He said he preferred to surrender in Manila for fear that he might be “framed if he would surrender in Cebu.

“Ako plano moadto ko og Crame. Adto ko mo-surrender sa Crame kay kung ari ko diri sa Cebu, klaro man kaayo buhatan ko og scenario nga nisukol ko, nangilog og armas mao namatay,” he added.

Manto said he is willing to face the charges to be filed against him. However, he also urged the authorities for a fair and proper investigation on the incident.

“Oo, akoa gyud nang serbisyohan og mapamatud-an nila na ako ang sad-an… Ako, okay ra man ko mapriso ko basta tarongon lang nila og imbestigar nga sakto gyud pagka-imbestigar nga sugod gyud nganong ila kong gisundan ba,” he said.

Manto also expressed his apologies to the family of Deiparine, saying that it would not have ended in Deiparine’s death last Oct. 25, if he had known that they were police officers. Deiparine’s comrade and companion during the shooting, survived with minor injuries.

“Mangayo ko og pasaylo sa pamilya sa akong napusilan. Kay ako, bisan gamay, wa gyud na mosud sa akong kuan na mosukol og gobyerno kay akong pangandoy ma-gobyerno ko,” he said.

Manto, who is a former security guard, shared that he has high respect for people who work in the government, especially police officers. He said he also dreamed of becoming one even though he only finished two years of his criminology degree due to their poverty back then.

Suspect’s cousin surrendered

Meanwhile on the night of October 28, a 41-year-old Johnrey Manto voluntarily appeared and surrendered before Cebu City Councilor Dave Tumulak after his family sought help out of fear.

The elder Manto said that Johnrey was his cousin and neighbor, however, he had no idea about his involvement because he did not know who helped him in the shooting encounter.

“Wa man ko kabantay ana niya didto ba na siya… Ako, wa gyud ko kahibaw kinsa ang nanabang basta ang ingon nigukod diha sa karsada ako ra gyud. Wa gyud ko kabaw kinsay nagpahipi og tabang nako,” he said.

In a separate interview, Tumulak said Johnrey’s family sought for his help. The councilor immediately ordered his men to fetch Johnrey in Argao after hiding in Samboan.

Tumulak also said that Johnrey denied any involvement in the shooting, claiming he was working in Mandaue City when the incident happened.

The alleged suspect has been turned over and detained at the CCPO stockade. — /JG (FREEMAN)