Suspects in cop killing, wounding admit involvement

CEBU, Philippines — After more than a week of investigation into the shooting encounter that killed a police officer and wounded another, testimonies from the suspects have started to unveil what truly transpired in the Sudlon incident.

In the presence of his legal counsel, 64-year-old Dionesio Malabato Labajo, alias “Jhuny,” half-brother of alleged prime suspect, Leonardo “Jun” Manto Jr., faced the media on Saturday (November 1) and admitted his involvement in the crime.

Labajo said he and his companions ambushed the two police officers—PCapt. Joel Deiparine and PEMS Artchel Tero—who were at the time tailing the vehicle of Jun Manto in sitio Balaw, Barangay Sudlon 2, a mountain barangay of Cebu City on October 25.

Labajo confessed that he was one of the shooters and that they were the first to shoot the two police officers, who belonged to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Regional Field Unit 7 (CIDG RFU-7).

“Si Jun g’yud ato, kami ato mahulog ra nga nitabang,” Labajo said.

Based on Labajo's account, on the afternoon of October 25, his younger brother , 43-year-old Jun, called and informed him that, while he was driving his Mitsubishi Strada on the way home, he was being followed by two unindentified men on a motorcycle.

He said that Manto's 17-year-old son took the firearms from inside their house and placed these by the roadside. Among these weapons were five .45-caliber handguns, two high-caliber Armalite rifles, and a 30-caliber Garrand rifle. Labajo said they used these guns to ambush the two riders of the motorcycle that trailed Jun’s vehicle.

But before the ambush, Labajo recalled that Manto called him again and ordered them to get ready because the motorcycle following him was closing in on him.

Labajo then positioned himself on the left side of the metal fence overlooking the road, while his other companions, alias “Allan” and alias “Renante,” were also positioned on the right side.

As soon as he arrived, Manto quickly blocked the road with his pick-up and, when the trailing motorcycle also arrived, Labajo and his two companions immediately opened fire at the riders of the motorcycle.

Labajo said they hit the leg of the backrider, who was later identified as Deiparine. The motorcycle fell into a roadside ditch prompting the driver---later on identified as Tero---to get off the motorcycle. As Labajo and with Jun, this time joining the attack, Tero ran towards the downhill and hid in the woods, amid an exhange of gunfire.

Jun Manto got off his vehicle, and continued shooting the wounded Deiparine on the face. As the smoke of gunfire subsided, Manto, Labajo, and their companions were shocked and panicked to learn that the motorcycle-riding persons they engaged in the shootout turned out to be police officers.

“Nakugang… kay og nahitabo pa to nga atong kuan (na-engkwentro) mga police diay to, dile mi mo kuan (sukol),” Labajo said. “Pwerte nang pagmahay namo, asta pod siya Jun,” he added, expressing his regret.

Labajo explained that they mistakenly thought that the two were relatives of the former barangay captain who was allegedly killed in Toledo City, wherein Manto was blamed as one of the suspects. Labajo said that his brother was threatened with revenge.

After the shooting, Manto and his companions separately fled on their own, but Labajo remained in his hut and just waited for the police to arrest him. He also shared that his wife and children were mad at him for getting involved in the incident.

Showing he was filled with remorse, Labajo apologized to the bereaved family of Deiparine, saying he never knew that the person they shot and killed was a police officer.

Guns used in police killing, surrendered

The firearms used during the shooting encounter that killed Deiparine and injured Tero have been surrendered to the authorities.

Manto agreed to surrender his guns, which were hidden after the incident in various locations within Sudlon.

The CIDG RFU-7, the Cebu City Police Office, and the Malubog Police Station 12, confirmed the successful recovery of the firearms used in the shooting.

Among the surrendered items include one STK 100 9mm pistol with its magazine; and one M4 Carbine assault rifle with two magazines and at least 20 pieces of 5.56-mm ammunition.

With the help of the barangay officials, the surrendered high-powered firearms were safely turned over to the Regional Forensic Unit 7 and subjected to investigation through a forensic ballistic examination.

Simultaneously, an alias “Rommy” was arrested in Parañaque City after being found in possession of a .45 pistol and 17 pieces of caliber .45 live ammunition allegedly used by Manto in the shooting incident in Cebu City.

According to the Police Regional Office 7 (PRO-7), Manto booked and rented a ride with Rommy before the former surrendered in Pasig City on October 29, wherein he also left the firearm with the latter.

Rommy is currently detained at the Parañaque City Police Station for failing to surrender the gun.

Meanwhile, PRO-7 Regional Director P/Brig. Gen. Redrico Maranan said that the entire police force is currently conducting a thorough investigation to identify and arrest all those involved in the crime and to serve justice for their fallen police officer.

"We are pursuing a thorough and comprehensive investigation to identify and arrest all individuals involved in this heinous act. Justice will be served for the fallen officers. The Philippine National Police will not rest until those responsible are held accountable," Maranan said in a statement. (BANAT NEWS)